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Journalism of Courage
NEW DELHI, FEB 25: Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee8217;s claim of according maximum priority to safety and security of the passengers seems only to be an eyewash, considering the unprecedented number of new trains she has announced.
While she has definitely increased the allocation for safety and modernisation, the officials of the Railway Board say it would be countered by the new trains. She has allocated Rs 2,000 crore for track renewal, that is a 37 per cent increase over the revised outlay, she also enhanced the percentage outlay for signalling and telecom by about 26 per cent. 8220;But it would not make much of a difference. More the number of trains, less the time for engineering staff to maintain the tracks,8221; an official said.
According to officials, the money would have been better spent on replacing and rehabilitating overaged assets, as pointed out by Justice H R Khanna Railway Safety Review Committee report. The replacement of assets including wagons, rolling stock, and strengthening of railway bridges 8212; some of which are over 100-years-old should have been given a priority with a freeze on new trains, lines and projects.
But Mamata has gone ahead and announced several new lines and projects, allocating 61 per cent more over the current year8217;s revised estimates 8212; Rs 825 crore from Rs 514 crore. According to Justice Khanna8217;s report the replacement of assets alone, which is in arrears, would require Rs 15,000 crore.
Mamata also said that the Rs 300 crore which the Railways will get as part of the diesel cess would also be spent on safety works, specifically to man the unmanned railway crossings and construction of road over bridges and under bridges.
