Lalu asks GMs to effectively implement freight schemes

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, July 30 (UNI) Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today impressed upon the General Managers (GMs) of all zonal railways the urgency to vigorously implement various freight schemes, especially with regard to steel and cement, in order to achieve the loading target of 800 million tonnes during the current fiscal and offer a tough competition to the road sector in freight transportation.

Addressing a meeting of the General Mangers of all zonal railways and production units here, Mr Prasad said Zonal Railways would have to make urgent efforts to bring traffic from road to rail in important commodities.

''There is a need to formulate different policies for carrying the raw material traffic and finished goods so that more traffic could be diverted from road to rail,'' he said.

The Minister informed that the GMs had been empowered to take all possible steps to popularise attractive schemes and incentives to get more and more traffic from road to rail.

''I have given directions to the Railway Board to take urgent policy decision regarding commercial, operating and pricing matters so as to attract more and more traffic towards railway,'' he said.

Mr Prasad also asked the GMs to make vigorous efforts to meet the loading target of the current year, especially with regard to cement and steel.

Pointing out that liberalisation of the container policy had opened floodgates for the participation of private investors, he asked the officials to help create rail connectivity to sidings so that the scheme could be implemented effectively.

''The General Managers will have to devote more attention to several schemes which have been launched to enhance rail capacity like rationalisation of loco link, improvement in terminal facilities, computerisation of guard's and driver's lobby and electrification of sidings.'' Besides, initiating adequate steps to provide safety and security to the railway passengers, he said the GMs would have to take stern action against corrupt contractors and all the officials conniving with such elements.

Complimenting the GMs for their cooperation in bringing about the phenomenal turnaround in Railways, he exhorted them, ''to sustain the tempo of the turnaround and carry their responsibilities with conviction and commitment.'' Minister of State for Railways R Velu said the Zonal Railways should make all out efforts to achieve the loading target of 800 million tonnes of freight loading in the current fiscal.

He said the Railway Board had notified some attractive freight incentive schemes and the GMs should review the progress made in this regard.

Mr Velu also referred to the areas of concern that required early action. These included cleanliness of trains and platforms, better passenger amenities and utilisation of Special Railway Safety Fund.

Minister of State for Railways Naranbhai Rathwa drew the attention of the officials towards improving the punctuality of trains.

''More effective efforts should be made for improvement in the field of passenger amenities like supply of hygienic food and good quality bedrolls,'' he said and emphasised the need for result-oriented trainings for railway officials.

UNI

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