New Delhi: Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Monday said that change is necessary for development and also for marching ahead.
“Change is essential for prosperity and we have to change to move ahead,” Prabhu said at Guwahati while inaugurating the Railway Week Award function. Railway Week is held every year in different parts of the country and it is for the first time that the event is organised in Assam.
Seeking a change in attitude, Prabhu said, “we should abort the “chalta hai” attitude and adopt “chalayenge” attitude.” He said it is an opportunity for all members of the railway family to meet the people of the North East. Railways has declared 11 projects in the NE region as national projects which receive uninterrupted funding from the Centre.
The public transporter has also committed to create adequate rail infrastructure such as new lines, gauge conversions, station development, new trains, passenger facility and amenities in North Eastern States.
In 2014-15, more than Rs 5,200 crore was provided for network expansion in NE Region. Again in 2015-16, an all time high outlay of over Rs 5,300 crore has been provided for this purpose. Prabhu had recently flagged off the first Broad Gauge goods train on completion of Lumding-Silchar broad gauge BG line, providing seamless rail connectivity to Assam’s Barak valley with the rest of the country.
The passenger trains on this section will be started soon after the necessary clearance from Commissioner of Railway Safety. As per the plan, rail connectivity will be provided to all capitals of North East states by 2020. A total number 151 officers/staff from all Zonal railways including Ministry of Railways were presented the National Railway Awards for their outstanding performance. (PTI)
