Infrascape 2013 | Policies should be in a compehensive manner

Saurabh Sood, Managing Director & Country Head, GATX India Pvt. Limited

If you look at the container segment, currently there are only 2-3 things that are permitted to private players. One is the container train operators license which has been operational. On container train operators license, few things that went right at least for first half of the year, a lot of new terminal lands of the container terminal operators were coming up and some of them have got operational as well like Khurchar and for Russia.

Industry scenario: With all that additional infrastructure coming in place you can expect the container train operation to get more stabilised and provide more strong platform growth from thereon. What has not gone right for this whole segment is the inaction of the Indian railways. There have been at least 2-3 schemes which have been pending approval for last six months. There are large global players who have been sitting on the fence waiting for some of these approvals or policies to get finalised and that does not seem to be any urgency at the end of the Indian railways to expedite and work them in a manner which have a long term solution for this whole sector. The biggest shortfall in my view is they are losing precious time.

Policy Initiative: On a policy front I would say, there is no concept on the right direction. There is no policy. There is no action on any policy. Even if they start initiating action on policies and I am not saying they should bring out 10 policies in 1 year. A policy or two policies but in a comprehensive manner and execute it and that has not happened.

Expectations: My biggest expectation would be if these policies are brought out in a manner which has a long term sustainable business opportunity for private players, it can go a long way in helping the Indian railways ease out their financial pressures and enhance the revenue potential for Indian railways.