BRITISH transport mogul Richard Branson said on Friday (October 26) he would love to help set up high-speed trains in India at a time when the nation’s creaking railway system desperately needs new investment.
State-run Indian Railways, the world’s biggest employer, is studying the feasibility of attracting private investment for high-speed trains for six routes and has been studying various options of attracting funding.
In an interview with India’s NDTV news channel, Branson said he has the experience to upgrade the crumbling network as his Virgin Rail Group has operated a service along the west coast of Britain for more than a decade.
“We would love to help,” said Branson.
“In Britain we took over a dilapidated part of Britain’s network about 15 years ago and we transformed it.
“If you wanted high-speed trains in India, just give me a ring and we will be happy to send a team to have a look.”
India’s crumbling railway system, the world’s second largest under a single management, is desperately in need of upgrading to ensure the country’s infrastructure keeps pace with its economic growth.
Branson, who also runs his own airline, was furious when Virgin lost its franchise to operate the West Coast Main Line in Britain in August.
However the government has since put its decision to hand the licence to a rival operator on hold after irregularities in the licence tender process.
