Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal today said that a series of measures are being taken for improving safety and security of Rail passengers. Preseting his maiden railway budget in the Lok Sabha, he said that passengers deserve safe and comfortable travel. The Minister said that Indian Railway must remain financially sustainable so that resources generated can be ploughed back for efficient upkeep, operation and maintenance of the system itself for the benefit of the rail users. He said that Railways will strive to work towards zero accident situation. The Minister also proposed Train Collision Avoidance System.
Mr Bansal said that railway network has to be expanded at a much faster rate in view of vastness of the country and large areas still aspiring for rail connectivity. The Minister callled for a new approach to tariff and non-tariff segments of earnings to raise an amount of 95,000 crore rupees in next 4 years. He said, there has been significant reduction in rail accidents, adding that 17 bridges identified as distressed have been sanctioned for rehabilitation to be completed over the next one year.
Mr Bansal said that many measures are being taken to deal with fire accidents. These include provision of comprehensive fire and smoke detection system on pilot basis.
The budget speech was continuing when reports last came in.