No compromise on rail safety: Paswan

This would go a long way in curbing activities by touts, blackmarketeers and anti-social elements whose movements would then be closely under tabs, he said.

Paswan said telephone facilities would be provided in all Rajdhani Express trains by March next.

The minister also announced that reservation facilities would be made available to foreigners at the starting point of their journey. Paswan warned that those trying to foment trouble at railway stations would be severely dealt with.

The house approved two supplementary demands totalling a token amount of Rs 50,000 for surveys and new services. Work on new projects is likely to entail an expenditure of over Rs 3,000 crore.

The House also approved the relevant Appropriation Bill. Paswan said as part of its policy to bring transparency in its functioning, the railways has purchased material worth Rs 7,000 crore through open tender and the details have been displayed for public scrutiny at Pragati Maidan.

He assured members that in addition to the safety factor there would be no compromise on security and procurement of standard signalling equipment.

“Even if we have to spend five times more, we will do it,” he said. He added there was no shortage of wagons, nevertheless efforts were underway to increase wagon capacity.

CM’s delegation on rail woes to meet PM

Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi will lead a delegation to the Prime Minister exhorting him to act by way of improve railway services in the metropolis at the earliest.

Joshi told newsmen here today that the proposed visit would be made `as early as possible’ to convey the grievances of Mumbai’s harried rail commuters.

The CM attributed a significant responsibility of he city’s law and order problems to disruptions in railway services, both long distance and suburban.Expressing concern over massive disruptions in railway services for three consecutive days “for one reason or the other”, Joshi impressed the need for a major overhaul of the city’s railway services.