Railways Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said that the government is not privatising the Indian Railways but only outsourcing commercial and on-board services to private companies in order to provide better facilities to commuters.

Goyal made the statement while responding to a series of questions during Rajya Sabha’s Question Hour. He further said that such a step has been taken as it is not possible for the government to meet the fund requirement of ₹50 lakh crore estimated for the next 12 years to operate Railways.

“Our intention is to give better services and benefits and not to privatise the Indian Railways. The Indian Railways is and always continues to be the property of India and people of India,” Goyal assured in the Upper House.

“Every day, members come with a new demand for lines and better services. It is not going to be a possibility for the Government of India to provide ₹50 lakh crore for the next 12 years. We all know that,” he said, adding there are budgetary constraints and other real issues. Noting that thousands of new trains and more investment are required for providing new facilities/rakes and meet the passengers rush, Goyal said: “If there are private players willing to invest and come and run on the existing system, which continues to be always owned by the Indian Railways the consumers and passengers will benefit,” he added.

Maintaining that the government is corporatising railways not privatising it, Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi said, “We are outsourcing only the commercial and on- board services to private players. Ownership will be with railways. We are giving only licenses. They are bringing in new rates.”

Angadi further said that the existing employees will not be affected by it, in fact private players will not only provide better services, it will also create additional employment opportunities.

On services to disabled passengers and women at railway stations, Angadi said safety and cleanliness have always been the priority of the government and it would take care if they are lapses in some stations. He said all railways stations have a separate resting room for women and police help is also being provided. Responding to a query about whether railways will continue to look into complaints of passengers about on-board services provided by private players, the minister said, “A valid point has been made. If there are any problems, the Railway authority will be there to address.”

(With input from agencies)