Lalu rules out privatisation of Indian Railways

Kishanganj, July 30: Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today set at rest all speculations about possibility of privatisation of the Indian Railways, which made a turnaround and emerged as the only profit making railways across the globe.

The Railway Minister, who flagged off weekly Kishanganj-Ajmer Garib Nawaz Express from Kishanganj railway station, claimed that while Indian Railways, which was perennially in the red, had earned whopping sum of Rs 13,500 crore and, would touch Rs 20,000 crore at the end of this fiscal.

Mr Prasad said new thrust of the Indian Railways would be on passengers' safety and security.

The minister announced a slew of measures, including revamping damaged railway bridges, and strengthening of the tracks.

Talking to mediapersons, Mr Prasad said that post 7/11 in Mumbai, the strength of the RPF (Railways Protection Force) would be increased by 40,000 additional forces from the present strength of 60,000.

The RPF would have more power to tackle crime as well as terrorism activities, he added.

''All metropolitan stations would be equipped with close circuit TV cameras and control rooms,'' he said.

Sniffer dogs would also be pressed into service at the main railway stations he said.

Mr Prasad, conceding to the request of Union Minister of State, Agriculutre and consumer affairs Mohammad Taslimuddin, agreed to give stoppages of three trains---weekly Guwahati---Amritsar Express, weekly Guwahati- New Delhi Sampark Express and bi-weekly NJP-Sealdah for at least two minutes at Kishanganj.

He also assured that expedition survey of two new lines between Kishanganj and Jalalgarh, and Jogbani-Galgalia and construction of Washing PIT Line at Kishanganj would be taken up soon.

He said frequency of Garib-Nawaz Express could be enhanced, depending on the volume of traffic, and added that more new trains could originate from Kishanganj once PIT Line work was done.

Mr Taslimuddin, who presided over the function, occused the bureacurats of delaying implementation of the sanctioned schemes in Kishanganj.

Meanwhile, Mr Prasad, in Khagaria, announced to restore direct appointment system to class four grade posts in the railways.

Addressing a function Mr Prasad said he was striving to introduce third track for smooth movement of goods trains for hassle free carriage of freight.

He announced that gauge conversion work on Khagaria-Samastipur would be completed by January next year.

UNI