Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is seen as a front-runner for $3.5 billion (about Rs 24,780 crore) Britain's Network Rail contract, reported Business Standard.

TCS has an edge over others as it has had a long relationship with Network Rail and has a large presence in Britain and the rest of Europe, the report said citing multiple unidentified sources.

Other software majors such as HCL Technologies and Wipro are also likely to bid, the report said.

Network Rail is the owner and operator of Britain's railway infrastructure - tracks, signals, tunnels, bridges, level crossings and stations.