Railways more than transport system: President

President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday said that the Indian Railways had a much deeper meaning than a mere transportation system.

Addressing a group of railways probationers, Mukherjee said the railways integrates far-flung areas of the country.

Like the Indian Post Office, it is one of the few organisations that have a truly national character, an official release quoted him as saying.

The probationers of Indian Railway Service of Engineers, Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers and Railway Protection Force called on the president on Tuesday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

Mukherjee said the railways is not only one of the largest rail networks in the world but also one of those that are well managed.

At 66,000 km, its rail network stretches to almost every nook and corner of the country, he said.

The president said the Indian Railways is not just a commercial organisation as it has extended help and support to the needy whenever required.

--IANS

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