Parts of India’s iconic state-run railways could potentially be outsourced in future, following revelations by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu today.

Speaking at a panel discussion at the India Today Conclave, Prabhu admitted that "Neither privatisation nor total government control is the solution to the problems of Railways." The Minister refused to elaborate upon the "legislative changes" he is seeking to address these issues, but there remains a strong possibility that the state will seek large-scale outsourcing contracts in an effort to improve the finances and efficiency of the embattled Indian Railways.

This follows the announcement in latest Railway Budget in February that the state would look to enter into joint ventures with the private sector, and soft-financing from other nations, as it seeks to modernise. In October, the railway invited private organisations to sell reserved and unreserved tickets, much to the chagrin of local trade unions.

The rail network, which is the 4th longest in the world and carries a record 8 billion passengers, has suffered from a lack of investment, upkeep and repair in recent times. To remedy the neglect, the railway operator plans to add 4,000km of new lines by 2017, as well as significant gauge conversion, doubling and electrification of its existing aging lines.

For weekly news updates, subscribe to our email newsletter.

Read this next: Transport of London awards ICT contract to Computacenter