Lack of funds affecting Kolkata Metro expansion: Railway Board

Lack of funds is affecting the extension of Kolkata Metro, Railway Board chairman Arunendra Kumar today said.
"Work is going on as per allotment of funds. In some sections, money is needed to start work. The generation of funds is less than the demand. We need extra funds. Land acquisition is another issue," Kumar told reporters here.
On bullet trains, Kumar said a feasibility study on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route is about to be completed.
"There is a need for bullet trains. We are in a wait-and- watch mode for getting funds," the official said.
When asked about safety measures to combat rail accidents, Kumar said the last few accidents have been due to rail fractures.

"We are working on that. Trial is going on to solve this problem," he said, adding that in the next 2-3 months, new batches of 17,000 RPF personnel will join duty.

Kumar said time efficiency has improved from 66 per cent to 81 per cent in eastern and south eastern railway.
"We want that when a passenger walks into railway premises he or she should feel welcomed," the board chairman said.
However, he admitted that due to bad weather and storms in north India, trains are getting delayed.
"But we will resume punctuality," Kumar said.
On the quality of food provided to passengers in trains, he said the Railways is going to implement new catering policy.