The Hindu : National : No rise in lower class fares: Laloo

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 25, 2004

National

National

No rise in lower class fares: Laloo

By Our Special Correspondent

The Union Minister for Railways, Laloo Prasad Yadav (right), and the Ministers of State, Naranbhai Rathwa and R. Velu (left), after they assumed office in New Delhi on Monday. — Photo: V. Sudershan

NEW DELHI, MAY 24. Committing himself to the safety of passengers, the running of trains on time and corruption-free railways, the new Railway Minister, Laloo Prasad Yadav, today promised that there would be no upward revision of passenger fares for lower classes.

Spelling out his priorities during an interaction with the media soon after assuming charge of the Ministry along with his deputies, Narayan Bhai Rathwa and R. Velu, Mr. Yadav declared: "Rail is our oldest mode of transport since British days and the safety of Railways and its passengers will be our top priority."

The former Bihar Chief Minister, making his debut as a Central Minister, said he would see to it that lower class fares were not increased to fulfil the aspirations of the people who had voted for the alliance.

Voicing concern over the increasing Railway accidents, he said responsibility would be fixed from `top-to-bottom' and adequate measures taken to upgrade the Railways through modernisation. The entire system would be corrected and "quick" rescue and relief operations ensured.

Steps would be taken to check the cornering of railway contracts by mafias. Corruption cases related to sales and purchase would be expedited.

New projects would be initiated only after completing the earlier ones started by his predecessors, Ram Vilas Paswan and Nitish Kumar. Mr. Yadav said he would write to the Members of Parliament to send suggestions and requirements in their constituency.

"We will provide railways to the remotest areas," he said adding that the Railways was for everybody.

All steps would be taken to ensure the running of trains on schedule as a proper enquiry system would be in place at stations.

Officials would be punished if complaints were received about the late running of trains.

Special attention would be given to cleanliness at stations and in trains as also to the quality of food served to passengers.

Ban on plastic goods

The Minister announced a total ban on plastic goods in trains; rather, "kullah" would be introduced while serving tea/coffee. Transportation of gas cylinders in passenger trains would be prohibited.

Asked if the new government would introduce new trains on the lines of the Jan Shatabdis or the Shatabdis, he said, "we will discuss the matter after reviewing the entire operations keeping in mind the requirement of the railways."

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