Railway minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu today said that he wants state governments to join hands with the Railways for the development of stations.
"We want to have a joint venture with the states. I am requesting the state governments to join hands with the Railways in developing and re-developing the stations," Prabhu said here during programme at the Howrah station.
The Union Minister inaugurated several projects for the Eastern Railway, South Eastern Railway and the Metro Railway here.
Stating that West Bengal occupies a "strategic position" in the country, Prabhu said that the ministry would help "with its resources" for the development of the state.
He also congratulated the Eastern Railway for becoming the first in the country to remove all unmanned level crossings in its zone.
Prabhu also underscored the Railways would work towards improving the customer service and development of the infrastructure.
"Revamping will take a long time though we are are working on all aspects. We are focusing on the customer service... Customer satisfaction is very very important. We have taken over 100 initiatives in the last 18 months.. Though many are saying that things have improved a lot, I am not happy because we have to go a long long way," Prabhu said.
(Reopens CAL2)
During an interaction later at the MCC Chamber of Commerce and Industry here, Prabhu reiterated that the Railways will hold a dialogue with West Bengal on participation of the state for Joint Venture for infrastructure developments.
"Earlier, West Bengal was the centre of happening but that is lost. On infrastructure front Railways is doing a lot to revive it," he said.
Already 16 states have agreed to (join hands with Railways) and some seven have already inked, he added.
Railways had undertaken re-development of 400 railway stations across India, Prabhu said.
Prabhu also laid foundation stone for bogie manufacturing unit at Budge Budge.
The minister said transportation sector will bring next wave of investment after telecom and power.
His department was working towards making Railways a financially viable organisation, Prabhu added.
Addressing the chamber members, Prabhu said Railways was moving towards greater passenger facilities including speedy travel and freight movement.
He said the Railways was working on speed enhancement in existing trains and new high speed infrastructure.
Railways had undertaken trial of Talgo trains for semi speed trains that will increase speed to 200 km per hour against average of 130 km per hour.
He said Railway was working to have a freight handling capacity of 1.5 to 2 billion tonne.
The Railway was working with several countries for collaboration to realise it's vision, Prabhu said.
A Railway official said the Kulti wagon plant in West Bengal is set to begin commercial production shortly.
In 2016-17, 380 km of new railway track would be laid by Eastern and South Eastern Railways, the official said.
