Karnataka keen in cashing on private partnership in railways

Karnataka government was keen on being at the forefront in effectively utilising the Centre's proposal to invite private partnership in Indian Railways, state minister for infrastructure and tourism Janaradhan Reddy said today.

Addressing the media in the presence of Union minister of state for railways Muniyappa, Reddy said the Centre was planning to roll out projects based on public-private partnership model. The model envisages building of infrastructure and revenue sharing on a PPP basis.

The Karnataka government was more than willing to cash in on this opportunity by roping in private partners, he said.

Speaking after attending a high-level meeting of railway officials, he said that the main agenda at the meeting was the state government identifying 10 new projects.

Out of the 10, five would be submitted to the railway minister Mamata Banerjee before the presentation of the railway budget, so that it could be incorporated in the budget. He, however, refused to divulge details.

Muniyappa said that at the meeting, several projects were reviewed and the ongoing performance studied.

Admitting that funds were a problem, he said if the Karnataka government came forward to share cost of the remaining 13 ongoing projects, apart from the six taken up on a cost-sharing basis, then it would be possible for the Centre to commence or take up new projects.

Plans were on to hold such high-level review meeting on a monthly basis, he said.