The finance ministry must help us find the money for capex: Suresh Prabhu

Prabhu spoke about priority being given to safety and need for more funds for railways to move ahead

After the first Union Budget where railway finances were merged with the main one for the government, Railways Minister SURESH PRABHU spoke to the media. Edited excerpts:

Your immediate take on the Budget?

For the first time in the railways’ history, a Rs 1 lakh crore safety fund has been announced. That was the exact amount  we have given to the finance ministry. We are focussing on issues on safety and station development. In the coming week, our ministry will invite tenders for development of 23 new stations. 

Focus has been provided for cleanliness. We have also launched a ‘41K’ mission,