Rlys on image building run

The Railways has instructed its managers to pay special attention to cleanliness and passenger amenities at stations and on trains. The twin concerns got primacy at a two-day conference of General Managers’ that concluded Thursday.

According to railway sources, the conference was part of an image-building exercise undertaken by railway minister Pawan Kumar Bansal ahead of elections. The railway ministry has come to the  Congress fold after many years and the party has a very short time to show results.

Bansal, in his address, said that it is important to ensure cleanliness on trains and in station areas, particularly platforms. He directed the General Manager cadre “to personally take interest and  regularly monitor these aspects.”

 He told them to remove scrap to keep the surroundings clean. “It would bring revenue as well,” the minister suggested.

The conference also discussed model stations plan. General Managers were told to expedite development of such stations in their respective areas.

Bansal asked them to expedite work on escalators for easy passenger mobility. He also wanted  managers to look into catering services to ensure quality food is served and pantry cars are hygienic. He told them to popularise the catering complaint telephone number so that people avail the facility and get their grievances redressed.

“The Railway Board has been asked to work out a time-bound action plan for implementation of measures meant for the convenience of differently abled and aged passengers as mentioned in my budget speech,” said Bansal.

Bansal appealed to private sector to invest in the railways. “Railway projects such as new line construction, gauge conversion, track doubling, electrification etc., to the tune of Rs 1,50,000  crore is being taken up,” he said.