Private companies may get to service non-railway entities’ wagons

New Delhi: The Indian Railways is weighing a plan to let private players maintain freight wagons, a move that can open a new services market and ease capacity constraints in its overhaul depots, according to people familiar with the matter.

The proposal, now under discussion, will allow privately-owned container wagons to be serviced by non-railway entities, with tariff rebates being considered for rake owners that opt for self-maintenance, officials said. “There is significant private sector presence in container wagons, and it would be the first in which private maintenance may be permitted,” a senior official told ET.