The Indian Railways has decided to take up all pending major projects on PPP basis in Bihar. The decision is likely to further accelerate the pace of railway development work in the state.
These major projects include the diesel locomotive factory at Marhaura in Saran district and electric locomotive factory at Madhepura. However, work on two other major projects Railways Coach Maintenance Workshop at Harnaut and Wheel Factory at Belapur, Chhapra has been progressing as per schedule. The coach maintenance workshop at Harnaut is likely to be operational by December 2010.
The Indian Railways has learnt to have asked the railway officials concerned to take up land acquisition issue with the state government to complete Marhaura and Madhepura projects. Non acquisition of land for Marhaura and Madhepura projects has been the main reason behind delay in starting civil work on these projects.
According to sources, General Electric is keen to invest in the proposed electric locomotive factory at Madhepura in Bihar. The Indian Railways had earlier offered to build it on PPP basis at a cost of INR 1,300 crore.