India – World’s Fastest Growing Economy: Opportunities in Infrastructure

High Speed Rail

A high speed rail project from Mumbai to Ahmedabad has been sanctioned and financial and technical assistance is being provided by the Government of Japan (using Shinkansen technology). A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd, has been incorporated to execute the project. The project is proposed to be commissioned by 2023. High Speed Rail Corporation of India Limited (HSRC) has been formed on the directions of Ministry of Railways, Government of India, for development and implementation of high speed rail projects. This Special Purpose Vehicle has been incorporated in 2012 as a subsidiary of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited which is a Mini-Ratna public sector enterprise of Government of India. Currently, feasiblity studies are undergoing for the Delhi – Mumbai, Mumbai- Chennai, Delhi – Kolkatta packages.

Potential areas for involvement of private sector participation

Indian Railways is on a path of transformation with significant initiatives underway in enhancing safety, freight efficiency, augmentation speed of train, capital and development works, cleanliness, sustainability and better connectivity across the country. The Indian Railways has achieved significant growth in both, freight as well as passenger traffic, and is now focusing towards enhancing customer experience. The sector offers immense investment opportunities across all elements including capacity augmentation, debottlenecking, redevelopment and improving passenger amenities.