Separate safety fund sought for railways

The central government said on Friday that the Ministry of Railways has requested the Finance Ministry for a separate fund for improving safety of the Indian Railways.

New Delhi, Nov 18: The central government said on Friday that the Ministry of Railways has requested the Finance Ministry for a separate fund for improving safety of the Indian Railways.

"Ministry of Railways has requested Ministry of Finance to sanction a non-lapsible Rastriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) totalling Rs 1,19,183 crore for safety improvements of Indian Railways," Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

Gohain added that of the total of Rs 1,11,683 crore will be funded by the Finance Ministry.

"The safety related works identified are related to track works, bridge rehabilitation, safety works at level crossing, replacement and improvement of signalling system, improvement and upgradation of rolling stock, replacement of electrical assets and human resource development," he said.

IANS