Rly's surplus revenue in '07 at 15,000 cr: Velu

Puducherry, Jan 19 (UNI) The Railways has earned a surplus revenue of Rs 15,000 crore by 2007 end, Union Minister of State for Railways R Velu said today.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Velu said ''definitely the Railways is showing surplus revenue. The 2007-08 fiscal's revenue may be 20,000 crore to 25,000 crore'' After the blasts in trains in Mumbai, the Ministry had intensified vigil to ensure passengers' security. As many as 161 platform squads, with sniffer dogs, were deployed and passengers' luggages were being scanned. CCTVs were set up for constant monitoring, he added.

Mr Velu, who inspected the Puducherry railway station, said it would be given a facelift at a cost of Rs 3.7 crore and the proposed pit lane would be set up at a cost of about Rs seven crore.

The proposal, now under the consideration of the Railway Board, was likely to be included in the Railway Budget. A short shuttle between Puducherry and Villuppuram would be introduced shortly.

MORE UNI PAB JJ JT BD1825