Give railways more money, Congress leader urges government

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday pitched for more funds to the Indian Railways to improve its infrastructure across the country.

"It's a subject which needs lots of money," the leader of the opposition told the Rajya Sabha while participating in a discussion on the 2016-17 railway budget.

"We demand from the government that it should help you (Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu) the way it has helped the transport ministry," the Congress leader said.

He said he understood the complexities involved vis-a-vis the railways, saying it was "one cake to be distributed in the whole country".

Azad also stressed the need to focus on the problems and issues pertaining to the railways.

"Our railway tracks have gone old. These need to be upgraded," he said, adding that cleanliness was another issue requiring attention.

Azad said the railway land lying unused across the country was encroached upon and should be utilised for building hospitals and medical colleges.

"Such land has already been identified during our rule (United Progressive Alliance government) and the present government just has to come up with a plan for the same," he added.