The Hindu : National : Increase in volume will offset decrease in fares: Batra

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007
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National

National

Increase in volume will offset decrease in fares: Batra

Special Correspondent

Railways will continue with dream run and performance

NEW DELHI: Sounding upbeat and confident, Railway Board Chairman J.P. Batra on Monday asserted that Indian Railways would continue with the dream run and fast track performance, setting a more ambitious target of achieving a surplus income of Rs. 21,578 crore in 2007-08 riding high on the booming economic growth.

"We have achieved Rs. 20,063 crore surplus for 2006-07 and we are expecting to generate even a higher surplus of Rs. 21,578 crore in 2007-08," Mr. Batra told newsmen after the presentation of the railway budget.

He said that while the Railways' income grew by 16 per cent in the current financial year, expenses were 9 per cent higher than those in the previous year giving it enough financial backing for future growth. Asked how the Railways would benefit by reducing the fares and freight charges, Mr. Batra said the growth would come about by an increase in volume, both in the passenger and goods segments.

Lowest in the world

The Operating Ratio had come down to 78.7 per cent, that was the lowest among all the railways in the world, including the United States Railways, which is considered the number one, he said. However, the Railways have set the Operating Ratio target of 79.6 per cent for 2007-08. The increase has come about because of interim relief of Rs. 1,000 crore to the employees. Drawing a comparison with China, Mr. Batra said that while China was laying 1,000 km of new lines (broad gauge) every year, the Indian Railways would be laying 2,000 km broad gauge during the current year which is expected to go up to 3,000 km by the next year.

Mr. Batra said that besides the Rs. 30,000 crore Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors to be completed in five years, the Railways would launch a feasibility study for a high-speed passenger corridor. A feasibility study for four more freight corridors would also be carried out. There is a proposal to run double-stack containers on electrified routes. On the non-electrical route between Delhi and Mumbai, the double-stack containers would be running. "If we are successful in running these containers on electrified routes, India would be the first country in the world to achieve this feat," he said.

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