Railways issues EOI for upgrade of Good Sheds

India Railways recently issued an expression of interest (EOI) for upgrading and modernizing 286 Goods sheds including 16 in Tamil Nadu. According to the EOI, the goods sheds includes Salem, Erode, Triuppur, Namakkal, Arakkonam, Tirunelveli, Dindigul, Trichy and Thanjavur will be upgraded.

Railways is looking for entities that have experience in terminal operations in the transport sector. The transporter is also planning to engage in an agreement for not less than 10 year.

However, Railways unions have been critical of the move as they see it as move towards privatization. "This will affect the jobs of good shed clerks, supervisors and poters. Private operators would claim the franchises on the truck movement within Railway premises" said a DREU offcial.