'Security and safety' of passengers our main concern : Lalu

Dehri-on-Sone, Bihar, Dec 10 (UNI) Concerned over the security and safety of passengers, Railway minister Lalu Prasad today announced that about 24,000 jawans would be recruited in the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to bolster the security for passengers.

Inaugurating the Bikramganj-Sasaram railway line at Bikramganj, Mr Prasad said that in order to tone up the maintenance of tracks, the Railways would also recruit a large number of gangmen saying over qualified candidates would not be considered for these posts as they would not be able to discharge their duties effectively.

Mr Prasad said the railways would earn a profit of Rs 20,000 crore during the current financial year. ''Exploring the other areas to mop up more profits, it has decided to give its unused lands to the farmers on lease which would fetch revenue'', he maintained.

He said that opening of outlets at more than 75000 railway stations across the country would help the farmers to get requisite price for their produces. He said that an agriculture outlet would be opened at Bikramganj with the joint venture of railways and corporate houses which would bring prosperity among the farmers of the area.

'' When most railways in the world are running on huge losses, Indian Railways is earning profits of thousands of crores, which is a great achievement indeed'', he observed.

Mr Prasad said that several steps were being taken to improve the infrastructural facilities of the railways.

UNI XC RS PC LL HT1520