Lalu dedicates Asia's first IGBT-tech rail engine to nation

Varanasi, Aug 26 (UNI) Railway Minister Lalu Prasad this evening dedicated to the nation, Asia's first IGBT-tech based diesel-electric rail engine developed at the Diesel Locomotive Workshop (DLW) here.

The engine 'Natraj,' which is a result of the 1995 technology transfer pact between DLW and General Motors, USA was dedicated to the nation by Mr Prasad at the DLW premises here.

DLW will start the series production of Natraj engines from next month.

Later addressing the programme, Mr Prasad, lauding the efforts of DLW in developing the engine, announced Rs 25 lakh for the welfare of DLW employees. He also announced a cash reward of Rs 5,000 each to the driver and assistant driver of the engine, besides ushering a bounty of Rs 50,000 for the RPF jawans who presented the guard of honour to him on arrival at DLW.

The minister, however, could not stop short of discussing politics from the DLW platform, alleging that erstwhile NDA government had brought Railways on the verge of privatisation.

''They (NDA) believed in manpower reduction and fare hike, but our government brought the turnaround in Railways with a surplus of Rs 20,000 crore by adopting the policy of less corruption more business,'' he said.

''I promise you till I am at the helm of affairs, Railways will not go in private hands.'' Mr Prasad also said a dedicated freight corridor (new rail lines) will be laid with the help of Japan government in the country which will pave the way for an exclusive industrial corridor. ''In the first stage Eastern corridor will be laid from Ludhiana to Howrah to cover all major ports followed by Western corridor from Delhi to Mumbai.'' In the second stage ''two more freight corridor lines will be laid to connect Mumbai and Chennai and Howrah and Chennai.'' UNI