Common people most important target: Suresh Prabhu

Tirupati, Dec 26 (INN): Union Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu flagged off a new Weekly Express train service between Tirupati and Sainagar Shirdi Weekly Express at a glittering function held at Tirupati Railway Station on Saturday.

The Minister for Railways also unveiled the plaque to mark the laying of foundation stone for Mechanised Laundry at Tirupati.

Addressing the large gathering on the occasion, Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu said that the common people are the most important target group for Indian Railways and their expectations will be met. The watch word for Indian Railways is 'making promises true', and Customer Service with quality is the aim, he added. He presented the significant improvement in cleanliness on Indian Railways as a part of Swachh Bharat campaign, reducing waiting time at Reservation Counters, paperless ticketing, e-catering services, good quality linen, coach interior changes as examples of bettering rail services.

Stressing on the need for finances to complete rail projects, the Rail Minister said that Rs 8.50 lakh crores is the capital expenditure requirement and towards this a loan of Rs 1.50 lakh crores has been sourced from LIC. This money will go to fund the infrastructural requirements of Railways such as Doubling & Tripling of railway lines, safety etc. Public money has to be used responsibly and on Indian Railways, a new system of full transparency is in place for the purpose. Powers on Indian Railways are delegated to officials and the Minister himself does not hold any authority to clear tenders, he informed. The Prime Minister too has accorded priority for rail development as the engine to economic progress of the country, he said.

With regard to Andhra Pradesh, He stated that the Budget Outlay has been doubled in the last rail budget for rail projects in the state along with its sister state of Telangana. Elaborating on the subject, Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu added that Joint Ventures (JVs) are planned with State/Central equity to meet the demand for new railway lines and capacity augmentation. It is expected that Indian Railways will partner with AP in forming a JV company by next year, he expressed.

Speaking on the development of Tirupati Railway station, the Railway Minister informed that the station is one of the 400 identified for development in PPP mode on Indian Railways. It is planned to develop the station to the best standards, keeping the huge flow of pilgrim traffic from across the world in view. He called upon the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam to lend its financial support in developing the Tirupati Railway station jointly with Railways.

Earlier, South Central Railway General Manager Ravindra Gupta, in his welcome address, briefed on the priorities and performance of SCR. He also spoke on the added connectivity that the new Tirupati-Sainagar Shirdi Weekly Express will provide, there by serving public aspirations.

Andhra Prdesh Minister for Municipal Administration Dr. P. Narayana, Environment Minister B. Gopala Krishna Reddy, Tirupati MP Dr. V. Vara Prasada Rao and TTD Chairman Chadalavada Krishnamurthy also spoke on the occasion.

Chittor Zilla Parishad Chairperson Geervani Chandra Prakash, MLC Y. Srinivasulu Reddy, MLAs M. Sugunamma and Chevireddi Bhaskar Reddy were amongst the dignitaries present.