New Delhi, April 20: Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today invited investment from the private sector as also from the states in building infrastructure on public-private- partnership basis.
Replying to a debate on the Appropriation Bill for the Railways, which was returned by the Rajya Sabha, she said the Railways, which has pending projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore, is short of funds.
The minister said while she would be “the last person to privatise the Railways,” industry’s participation was needed for creating infastructure like coaches and rakes.
She asked the states to come forward and participate in the wagon building.
Banerjee said while comparisons are made between the Railways and the airports, they are misplaced.
“We need colorful trains, coaches like airports. But the railways cannot be compared to airports. It carries 1.8 million passengers every day,” she said.
–Agencies