detailed blueprint of PPP would be announced soon: Lalu

New Delhi, Oct 9 (UNI) Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today said his ministry was finalising the details of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for participation in its various projects, and a detailed blueprint would be announced soon.

Holding forth his ground that the Railways would not countenance any move for its wholesome privatisation, Mr Prasad said private players would be welcome only through the PPP route and that too in selected projects.

''The ministry is in the process of formulating detailed guidelines for PPP. We will specify all the areas where the private sector will be welcome. We will not leave any scope for ambiguity in this regard,'' he said.

''At the same time, I will not leave anyone in doubt that ownership will remain with the Railways. Privatisation does not mean total abdication of social obligation,'' he said, pointing out that Railways was the lifeline of the country.

The minister said a consultative committee would also be formed, which would facilitate regular interactions between the business chambers and the Railways.

The minister was making the inaugural address at a conference on ''Reforms in Indian Railways: Leading Change and Transformation and Emerging Opportunities for Public Private Partnership (PPP),'' organised by the PHDCCI.

Container operations, developing world class stations, Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), passenger amenities, commercial utilisation of surplus land, container trains and manufacturing of locomotives and coaches were some of the areas where the PPP model could be gainfully employed, he suggested.

He said the construction of the DFC would require concrete sleepers in huge numbers, and the private sector could participate in it.

Further, the Railways proposed to set up oulets for agro products at 7000 stations through PPP. These outlets would purchase perishable items like milk, fruits and vegetables at reasonable prices and would be carried to the markets through airconditioned containers, he pointed out.

''This is the one area which has enormous potential for joint ventures,'' he said.

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