Indian Railways set target Rs 23,000 cr profit

Bankura, July 29: Railway minister Lalu Prasad today said his ministry was making good progress to achieve a profit of Rs 23,000 crore for current financial year.

He said efforts were on to minimise losses from different heads in the ministry since his assuming the portfolio and finally made a profit of Rs 13,000 crore in last fiscal.

Mr Prasad said the railways had been incurring loss during the NDA regime, but now things have been alright, though expenses increased in the passenger amenities including on security aspect.

Mr Lalu was here to flag off the Bankura-Ranchi Fast Passenger via Adra and Purulia. Daily one train would go to Ranchi and back here for commuters to cover about 214 km route.

Earlier CPI(M) MP Basudeb Achariya, who is also the Chairman of Railway Standing Commitee, urged the concerned minister to reduce charges of super fast trains of Purulia Exp and Rupashi Bangla Exp of South Eastern Railway and Coal Field Exp and Asansol Exp of ER.

Mr Prasad assured him that his ministry would consider the request.

UNI