The railway rolling stock and component industry is upbeat about the Indian Railways’ ₹1.21 lakh crore capital investment plan and greater opportunity for future business revenues that has been outlined by this Budget.
Saroj Poddar, Executive Chairman,Texmaco Rail , told BusinessLine that the capital plan expenditure of ₹1.21 lakh crore for 2016-17 was positive for the private rolling stock and component suppliers. “As a result of the investment commitment, we expect steady orders from the Railways in future — be it wagons, coaches or components,” Poddar said.
He said the proposals for three more dedicated freight corridors, increasing track capacity, increasing the speed and axle load of wagons would go a long way for improving business opportunity for the rolling stock manufacturers.
The Minister in his speech said that in the next three months, the Railways would review the Wagon Leasing Scheme, Special Freight Train Operator Scheme, Private Freight Terminal Scheme and Liberalised Wagon Investment Scheme “for making them more liberal and attractive to our partners from the private sector”.
GP Goenka, Chairman, Stone India , a rail equipment/system maker including bio-toilets, said: “the Budget has thrown up huge opportunity for us.”