Railways to review progress of model stations: Jena

Bhubaneswar, Sep 2 (UNI) Railway Board Chairman Kalyan Kumar Jena today announced his plans to review the progress of all the model stations in the country.

Mr Jena, who is the new Chairman of the Railway Board, told the mediapersons here that each railway division of the country had been allotted five railway stations in their respective division to develop them into model stations.

Since two years had already passed, the progress of the model stations across the country required a review of the entire system, the new Railway Board Chairman said.

He said the basic idea was to give it a ''touch and feel'' and ensure that it provide all the basic amenities. He said the focus was on safety, growth of railways both in freight and passenger revenue and the customers' concern.

He said with 1.4 million staff strength, the Indian Railways would be made more modernised, fast and efficient to cater of its vital stakeholders so that it could be compared as one of the best networks in the globe.

Mr Jena said the railways would also provide emphasis on the development of dedicated corridor and the high speed corridor adding that the welfare of the staff would also receive much attention.

To a question on allegations by some states that they were being neglected despite contributing a major share to the revenue of the railways, the Chairman said he would like to review all aspects to find out the shortfall and try to address them at a national level.

Mr Jena admitted that the low cost airlines to some extent did have an impact on the revenue of the railways particularly the first class and the second class AC accomodations but the introduction of the ''Garib Rath'' had compensated as it had tremendous advantages than the low cost airlines.

He also assured that the catering of the railways would be reviewed to see how best it could serve the passengers.

On the naxal problem faced by the railways, Mr Jena said the Union Home Ministry attention has already been drawn and the state governments were being approached to tackle the menace in a joint and coordinated manner.

UNI