'Central Railway expects Rs 700 cr profit in 2007'

Nagpur, Feb 11: The Central Railway (CR) expects to post Rs 700 cr profit at the end of the financial year 2006-07, Central Railway (CR) General Manager V K Kaul said here.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Mr Kaul, who was on the annual inspection visit here, said CR's revenue increased by 25 per cent, while the passenger traffic witnessed a rise by 13.5 per cent. The hike in goods load was also increased by 32 per cent as compared to 2005-06.

''We expect to post a revenue of Rs 5,400 crore to Rs 5,500 crore by 2006-07 end. Considering the fact that the profit of Indian Railways last year was Rs 13,000 crore and the estimated profit this year is Rs 18,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore, CR's contribution is important,'' Mr Kaul said.

He informed that the CR had remodeled the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai, to increase the platform space from 18 coaches to 24. The first train to run was Vidarbha Express. ''Lot more is in the offing for passengers,'' Mr Kaul said.

As far as Nagpur was concerned, Mr Kaul said the budget sanction was expected for the Rs nine crore proposal of transforming Ajni railway station into a Satellite Terminal. A master plan was submitted to the Railway Ministry for approval. Besides, closed circuit television, dog squad, explosive detection devices etc would be brought into service to ensure security at Nagpur.

Mr Kaul earlier conducted inspection of the Itarsi-Nagpur section. Pointing out that it was impossible to introduce new trains on existing lines, Mr Kaul said only dedicated freight corridor would provide relief.

UNI