151-trains-proposed-to-be-run-by-private-operators-once-the-selection-process-is-over-would-be-over-and-above-the-already-existing-trains
151 Trains proposed to be run by Private operators once the selection process is over, would be OVER and ABOVE the already existing trains
These 151 trains are in ADDITION to the existing trains
These proposed Trains will run on the routes where the demand for trains is already higher than the existing capacity
Ministry of Railways has invited Request for Qualifications( RFQ) for private participation for operation of passenger train services over 109 Origin Destination(OD) pairs of routes
The project would entail private sector investment of about Rs 30,000 crore
The objective of this initiative is to introduce modern technology rolling stock with reduced maintenance, reduced transit time, boost job creation, provide enhanced safety, provide world class travel experience to passengers
The driver and guard of the trains will be Railway officials. The safety clearance of trains will be done by Railways only
Also Read: Comments on Draft Documents for discussion on Private Participation in Passenger Trains
Ministry of Railways has recently invited Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for private participation for operation of passenger train services over 109 Origin Destination(OD) pairs of routes through introduction of 151 modern Trains (Rakes).
151 Trains to be run by Private operators once the selection process is over, would be over and above the already existing trains .
These trains are going to run on the routes where there the demand for trains are already higher than the existing capacity…
The driver and guard of the trains will Railway officials . The safety clearance of trains will be done by Railways only .
The 109 OD Pairs have been formed into 12 Clusters across the Indian Railway network. Each Train shall have a minimum of 16 coaches.
The project would entail private sector investment of about Rs 30,000 crore. This is the first initiative of private investment for running Passenger Trains over Indian Railways network.
Majority of Trains to be manufactured in India (Make in India). The private entity shall be responsible for financing, procuring, operation and maintenance of the trains.
Trains shall be designed for a maximum speed of 160 kmph. There would be a substantial reduction in journey time.The running time taken by a train shall be comparable to or faster than the fastest train of Indian Railways operating in the respective route.
The objective of this initiative is to introduce modern technology rolling stock with reduced maintenance, reduced transit time, boost job creation, provide enhanced safety, provide world class travel experience to passengers, and also reduce demand supply deficit in the passenger transportation sector.
The Private Entity shall pay to Indian Railways fixed haulage charges, energy charges as per actual consumption and a share in Gross Revenue determined through a transparent bidding process.
The operation of the trains by the private entity shall conform to the key performance indicators like punctuality, reliability, upkeep of trains etc.
The objective of this initiative is to introduce modern technology rolling stock with reduced maintenance, reduced transit time, boost job creation, provide enhanced safety, provide world class travel experience to passengers, and also reduce demand supply deficit in the passenger transportation sector.
The Private Entity shall pay to Indian Railways fixed haulage charges, energy charges as per actual consumption and a share in Gross Revenue determined through a transparent bidding process.
Indian Railways network is about 68,000 route kilometers. In the year 2018-19, the reserved passenger volume was 16% (0.59 billion) of the total originating non- suburban passengers (3.65 billion). Almost 8.85 crore of waitlisted passengers could not be accommodated.
Ministry of Railways felt the requirement to introduce private participation in passenger train operation which will allow introduction of next generation technology and provision of higher service quality, ensuring use of improved coach technology and reduced journey time. In this direction, RFQ has been already invited to permit private entities to undertake passenger trains operations.
These train services would be operated on the Indian Railway Network where at present both passenger and freight trains are being operated on the common track. The major trunk routes are saturated and operate at near full capacity. However, with planned commissioning of Dedicated Freight Corridors in 2025 and other infrastructural works, there would be availability of additional paths for operation of additional passenger services and it would therefore be possible to run additional services utilizing modern trains proposed in the current initiative.
The private entities for undertaking the project would be selected through a two-stage competitive bidding process comprising of Request for Qualification (RFQ) and Request for Proposal (RFP). RFQ process will be for pre-qualification and shortlisting of the bidders will be based on their financial capacity, who will be required to offer share in the Gross Revenue at RFP stage (bid parameter) for undertaking the project.
Source: PIB
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the “151 private trains” proposal under Indian Railways—specifically emphasizing that these services are additions and not a replacement for existing trains:
Contents
🚂 What’s the “151 Trains” Initiative?
- In July 2020, the Ministry of Railways issued an RFQ (Request for Qualification) inviting private entities to operate 151 modern passenger trains on 109 Origin–Destination (OD) pairs, grouped into 12 clusters across India. The private sector is expected to invest roughly ₹30,000 crore in rolling stock and operations.
- Importantly, as clarified in a Ministry of Railways press release:
“These 151 trains … would be OVER and ABOVE the already existing trains.” They are meant to serve high-demand routes where capacity is already constrained.
📆 Planned Rollout Timeline
| Financial Year | Target No. of Private Trains |
|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 12 |
| 2023–24 | 45 |
| 2025–26 | 50 |
| 2026–27 | 44 |
| Total by FY 2026–27 | 151 |
- The timeline anticipated the first batch going into service by March 2025, followed by progressive commissioning—with the full roster complete by March 2027
🔧 Operational Framework
- Each train must have a minimum of 16 coaches, designed up to 160 km/h, and targeted to reduce travel times—10–15% faster at 130 km/h and up to 30% faster at 160 km/h.
- Operations will be overseen by Indian Railways personnel (driver and guard), while private operators handle the rest: financing, procurement, operations, and maintenance.
- Performance meets strict targets: ≥95% punctuality, ≤1 failure per 100,000 km, with penalties for underperformance. Trains must seamlessly integrate with existing schedules.
- Private operators pay fixed haulage charges, energy charges based on consumption, and share a part of gross revenue via competitive bidding. Expected yearly revenue for IR was estimated at ₹3,000 crore.
⚠️ What It’s Not
- This scheme does not reduce or replace existing Indian Railway services. Indian Railways retains full responsibility for safety, infrastructure, signaling, and scheduling.
- Private operators are not taking over existing trains—they operate entirely new services on routes where demand exceeds capacity.
🌍 Current Status & Context (as of 2025)
- While the RFQ and policy framework remain formally active, the rate of rollout has been slower than initially planned—proposal delays, limited bidding interest, and financial viability concerns have pushed back timelines.
- Only a handful of IRCTC-operated services—like the Tejas Express—have moved forward under a different model. Other private sector proposals are under evaluation but yet to be commissioned at scale.
✅ Key Takeaway
“151 private trains” are intended as additional services, not replacements, focused on high-demand corridors where Indian Railways operates at full capacity.
These trains were planned to be rolled out gradually from 2025 to 2027 with:
- Modern, high-speed (up to 160 km/h) rolling stock,
- Full private investment in rakes,
- Indian Railways oversight of safety and staffing,
- Performance-based operations with revenue-sharing.
Would you like:
- A current (2025) status update on any awarded clusters or bidders?
- Details about specific proposed routes or tendering clusters?
- Comparative analysis with already‑running IRCTC‑operated Tejas and tourist trains?