Trivedi meets PM, seeks fund for railway modernisation plan

Ahead of rail budget, Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking adequate financial support for the modernisation of the national transporter.

Trivedi had prepared a blueprint for railways modernisation plan envisaging Rs 14 lakh crore investment in the next 10 years which include automation of signalling system, strengthening of the track and installation of safety device to prevent accident.

“He explained to the PM about the dire need of modernisation of railways and submitted the blueprint to him,” said sources in railways.

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Currently, railways is facing financial crunch and many of its projects are being held up due to the crisis.

Trivedi emphasised on the need for a separate safety plan and sought a liberal grant from the general exchequer outside the rail budget, they said.

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The safety plan involves speedy installation Train Protection warning System, upgradation of signal and telecommunication system and mechanised maintainance of tracks.

Besides, the ambitious safety plan also envisages induction of crash-worthy LHB coaches and locomotives as a long-term measure and elimination of unmanned level crossings to do away with mishaps on the tracks.

The last few years have seen minimal investment in the safety infrastructure due to poor financial health of the railways.

As per the safety plan, all electric locomotives are to be equipped with Vigilance Control Device (VCD) to prevent accidents in case the driver is incapacitated during the run.

So far, only 749 locomotives out of 4,147 electric ones have been equipped with VCDs.

There is growing concern about the maintenance of railways’ vast network of tracks and the slow pace of installation of anti-collision devices and train protection warning systems.

The Railway Minister had said yesterday that “the present railway system has outlived its utility. We are in some kind of Victorian age as far as the railways are concerned. Signalling is archaic. We have to embark upon a new generation.”

He had said there is a requirement of Rs 14 lakh crore for the next 10 years for modernisation of rail network which include automation of signalling system, strengthening of track and procurement of modern rolling stock.

PTI