8) Social costs & JVs to bear them:
Constructing new suburban lines should be undertaken as joint ventures with state governments, not otherwise. There are too many Zones and Divisions and thus a rationalization exercise is required.
Suburban railways should ideally be hived off to State governments, via the joint venture route. Until this is done, the cost of low suburban fares, if these fares are not increased, must be borne by State governments on a 50/50 basis, with MOUs signed with State governments for this purpose.
The...
more... freight rates should be left to market principles, once liberalization takes hold, and no such freight-related social cost should be imposed on Indian Railways.
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Good point again. Better leave Sububan to states. Banglore will be a biggest beneficer if it happens.