Mamata meets Fin Min, presses for additional rail safety funds

Last Updated: Thursday, February 18, 2010, 23:57

Tags: Mamata Banerjee, Fin Min, rail safety funds

New Delhi: Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday met Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee during which she is understood to have pressed for additional allocation for the railway safety fund.

There has been a spate of railway accidents recently and the railway ministry is actively considering to install anti-collision devices and train protection warning system in the rail network to prevent the mishaps.

Since it will require huge investment of funds, the railway is seeking additional fund to implement the safety devices.

The railway safety fund came into existence during the tenure of Nitish Kumar as Railway Minister in 2003. Out of Rs 17,000 crore allocated for the safety fund, Rs 12,000 crore was shared by the finance ministry. The rest was raised through cess on railway tickets.

The railways require Rs 70 lakh per kilometre for implementation of safety devices like train protection warning system and Rs 22 lakh per kilometre for anti-collision device.

PTI

First Published: Thursday, February 18, 2010, 23:57

Comments

R.Danial -
Traditional burdens of fare concession and other political/national liabilities responsibility of the concern departments should be verified and modified or withdrawn where not necesary. The responsibility of safety is deep concerned to all and not for railways only. Implementation of safety devices (ACD) for train protection warning system is long outstanding for entire railways except Northeast Frontier Railways where accidents reduced remarkably since long. Freight rates of railways should more scientific and rational manner and fare of passegenger for general calss min Rs.5/-, fastpassenger Rs.6/- , mail/express Rs.7/-
per 20 Km and accordingly other class may be increased for making required fund for setting up new railway lines, and upgrading the systems etc. Strenghtening railway communications and services will good for national developement and integrity. Rly engines saves fuel consuumption than motor/car vehicls. Unnecessary budget support for fuel concession can be reduced considerbly.
Minmum fuel consumption and maximum utlity is the main target of railways.