Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal has stressed the need to de-politicize rail fares. Talking to reporters in New Delhi on Wednesday, Mr Bansal said financial health of Railways is of paramount important to him.

Expressing concern over difference between rates of passenger fares and freights, he said that government is considering to constitute a Fare Regulatory Authority.

He said his ministry is also considering setting up a non lapsable fund for safety. Mr Bansal said that railways can become the growth engine of the country by increasing Growth Domestic Production by two per cent.

The Railway Minister said that safety, modernization, infrastructure development Information Technology based solutions and cleanliness are some of important priorities for his ministry.

He said that his ministry has taken project of High Speed Rail network between Mumbai and Ahemedabad on priority basis. Mr. Bansal said that efforts to enhance security at railway stations will continue.

Mr. Bansal said that his ministry is taking steps to fill more than two lakhs vacant posts. Mr. Bansal also declared commencement of 20 budget announced train services.

AIR correspondent reports, these train services include introduction of some new trains, extension of some existing trains and increase in frequency of some existing trains. Mr Bansal informed, these trains will start in seven to ten days.