Indian Railways to streamline its resources and operations

Kolar, Karnataka, June 9 (UNI) By streamlining its operations and resources Indian Railways was targetted to earn a record profit of Rs 25,000 crore for 2008-09, union minister of state R Velu said here today.

Speaking after inaugurating the Rs 1.25 crore modernisation of the Bangarpet Railway Junction, the key station between Bangalore-Chennai section of the South Western Railway zone, here today Mr Velu said thanks to better management of its resources and operations Indian Railways was able to earn profit.

Mr Velu said that despite steep increase in the input cost the Indian Railways have decided not to go for hike in freight and passenger fare and focus on revitalising its sources to ward off overhead expenses.

Mr Velu said that the Indian railways has earmarked Rs 80 crore for different on-going railway projects in Karnataka. The allocation for Kolar-Chickballapur Gauge conversion has been increased to Rs 190 crores and also has proposal to conduct survey for new line between Marikuppam and Bisanatham. "The concerned state government should come forward to co-operate for the new proposal" he said.

Referring to inconvenient in timing of the Pushpull rail service from Kolar to Bangalore, the concerned authorities have been instructed to change its departure time to 0720 hours.

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