OREANDA-NEWS. Rail connectivity to Coal and Iron Ore mines is an ongoing activity on Indian Railways. Railways have formulated a new policy called “Policy for participative Models in Rail Connectivity and Capacity Augmentation Projects” which came into effect from 10.12.2012.

 Five generic models for encouraging private investment have been offered under new policy which are (i) Non-Government Railway Models, (ii) Joint Venture Model, (iii) Railway Projects on Build Operate Transfer awarded through Competitive Bidding (iv) Capacity Augmentation-Annuity Model- in which State Governments, Local Bodies, Beneficial Industries, Ports, Large import and export companies, Co-operative Societies and other Body Corporate, Infrastructure and Logistics providers etc. can participate depending on the model that suits their business interests.

 Under the 12th Plan Railways have laid a strong emphasis on capacity augmentation works like New Lines, Doubling, Gauge Conversion, Dedicated Freight Corridors etc. that would result in greater flexibility of operations to serve the coal, iron mines, industrial hubs etc. for lifting loads and run more freight trains.