Post offices to issue railway tickets soon: Lalu

New Delhi, July 18: In yet another initiative to shorten queues at ticket windows, post offices across the country will soon be issuing reserved tickets in near future.

''The modalities for this passenger-friendly arrangement have already been finalised and the agreement is likely to be signed shortly,'' Railway Minister Lalu Prasad said.

Mr Prasad made the announcement at a meeting of the Consultative Committee of Members of Parliament attached to his ministry last evening.

The meeting was held on the agenda ''Marketing Strategies on Indian Railways''.

The minister said it would also be possible to buy reserved and unreserved tickets through ATMs to be installed by public sector banks at 6,000 railway stations.

He said the Railways had increased the length of all trains up to 24 coaches and the length of platforms was also being increased to accommodate 24 coaches.

In addition, a number of initiatives have been made to increase the freight loading. These include construction of logistic parks through Public Private Partnership (PPP), liberalisation of container and siding construction policies, wagon investment scheme, and concession up to 40 per cent in empty flow direction.

The minister also informed the Committee members that Railways had taken several ''historic steps'' for the overall development of Railways network in the near future.

A major initiative is construction of the Dedicated Freight Corridor project on western and eastern sector routes with an estimated cost of Rs. 30,000 crore.

The other initiatives are opening of agricultural outlets at 7000 stations for helping the farmers to get reasonable price for their products and upgrading of 21 railway stations into world class level through PPP.

The members raised concern over passenger amenities where progress was yet to be made to the desired level. The Minister assured them that Railways would take all possible steps to make it consumer-friendly.

They, however, appreciated the efforts made by the ministry for the excellent performance of Indian Railways, which had led to a 'turnaround' in its financial position.

''Due to some unavoidable circumstances, the meeting could not be concluded and was adjourned for some other day, the date for which will be announced shortly,'' a ministry official said.

UNI