Railways to use stations for skill development of youth

Prabhu to meet minister concerned to develop a mechanism for implementing the plan

After crying foul for years over its social service obligations, including running uneconomical lines, the Indian Railways is trying to develop a new social face under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

Minister Suresh Prabhu is working on a plan to utilise unused infrastructure at the Railways' 8,000 stations across the country, to impart skill development training to unemployed youth, particularly in rural and far-flung areas. Also, the ministry plans to use the vast railway network as a tool to market products made by self-help groups and tribal people across the country.

The announcements come soon after a few customer-centric initiatives like introduction of mobile ticketing and Wi-Fi internet services, apart from a focus on cleanliness.

“Indian Railways has around 8,000 stations. The premises of some of the stations with very few trains and scanty footfall could be used for skill development activities,” Prabhu said while addressing a media gathering here, adding he would soon meet Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development Rajiv Pratap Rudy to develop a mechanism for implementing the plan.

He was speaking at a book release function also attended by Dilip Chenoy, managing director and chief executive of National Skill Development Corporation; N K Maini, deputy managing director of Small Industries Development Bank of India (Sidbi); H R Dave, deputy managing director of Nabard; and Chandrajit Banerjee, director-general of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Indian Railways has tried to project its “public face” under different ministers in the past as well. The earlier approach, however, focused on announcing no rises in passenger fares or freight rates, introduction of new trains and expansion of metro services. The obligation to provide cheaper services — including coaching services and transportation of essential commodities below cost — has an annual impact of Rs 29,000 crore on Indian Railways.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has on several occasions laid stress on skill development as a key area of focus for his government. Referring to the Konkani cuisine restaurant “Konkan Swaad Katta', set up recently at Konkan Railway's Ratnagiri station, Prabhu said such initiatives would encourage traditional businesses and help financially empower locals.

The minister also referred to the “huge marketing potential” of the railway company, Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), and announced starting a pilot project to sell rural products through the IRCTC website, visited by 500,000 people a day.