Former Rail Minister Bansal says passengers want better services

Days before the presentation of Railway Budget for 2015-16, former railway minister Pawan Bansal on Wednesday said the passengers look forward to better services and facilities in the near future.

"One of the most important requirements of the passengers is how the services and facilities provided to them can be improved and maintained. The people who are saying that the existing lines should be completed first are absolutely correct. We need to think about the future simultaneously. There are many areas where railways have not reached yet and there is a need to do that," Bansal told ANI.

"The promise of laying down new railway lines is not fulfilled on time because it is capital intensive and involves a long time period. But all the trains announced have been started. Still we need to fulfil the people's expectations," he added.

Bansal further urged the need to improve railways signalling system.

"I understand that the signal service should also be improved so that more trains can be run on the same lines. The sole focus should not be at the bullet trains alone. It is an expensive and time consuming project. The ticket rates of these trains can be similar to that of flights," he said.

Bansal further said that it would not be right on his part to expect sudden huge changes.

"But, in past so many years there has been constant improvement in the railways services, lines, there has been electrification and doubling of tracks," said Bansal.

"Presently, more than 2.5 crore people in India travel through railways, which is a record in itself. On daily basis, goods weighing more than 23lakh tons are being carried by the railways. So, in true meaning it is our lifeline," he added.

The Rail Budget will be presented on February 26, followed by Economic Survey on February 27 and General Budget on February 28.