PM to attend Vikas Shivir to improve Railways' finances

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend a three-day Vikas Shivir from November 18 where he will discuss ideas given by railwaymen from across the country to improve the services and finances of Railways.
In a massive first-of-its-kind exercise, Railways has involved its rank and file staff to revamp its services and build a brand image which reflect the vibrant organisation of 13 lakh employees. It has received over one lakh ideas from railwaymen from across the country.
"Employees working across all 17 zones are suggesting what they would do if they become the Railway Minister," said a senior Railway Ministry official involved with the Shivir.

A panel of seven officers have shortlisted about 1400 ideas from the lot so far. The plan is to select the best 15 ideas and present the business plans to Modi, he said.
Modi will speak to around 400 railway staff in person and about 20,000 of them over video conferencing to firm up a roadmap with innovative ideas to ensure that the national transporter meets aspirations in a fast changing scenario.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu along with entire top brass of Railways will be present at the offsite meet.

The shivir, which has the tagline 'Why settle for ordinary when excellence is achievable', is meant to energise Railways' large workforce to come up with innovative ideas to raise additional revenues and improve services.

These ideas will form the basis of the roadmap for the Railways and will be monitored by the Prime Minister himself, the official said.
Railways has shortlisted eight themes to be taken up during the event, including ways to ensure every train journey is a pleasurable experience for the passengers and making it the preferred freight carrier.
Since the earnings from freight and passengers are not very encouraging, the Railways is focusing on non-fare revenue in a major way. The 'Looking Beyond Fare' theme aims to dramatically improve non-fare revenue through advertising and real estate development.
Zero fatalities and modernisation of rail infrastructure with the use of latest technology are some of the other themes to be taken up. All rail zones and divisions have been instructed to gear up for the three-day idea generation discussion with the Prime Minister.