JOIN USC P Joshi takes charge of Railways, hints at reforms
C P Joshi, who took charge of the Railway Ministry on Monday, gave clear signals of initiating reforms in the Railways.
Joshi declared that safety and modernisation will be prioritised. He also held a high level joint meeting of transport and railway officials to chart out a road map for convergence of Railways and road transport, considered to be one of the pivotal aspects of reforms.
Joshi is the minister of Road Transport and Highways and was bestowed the additional responsibility of the Railways. He indicated that infrastructural convergence among different modes of transport- rail, air, water and road-suggested by the Planning Commission, will be given top priority and changes in the Railways will be done accordingly.
“The first priority is that of safety, then improvement in passenger amenities and the most important is modernisation, so that the Railways have an active role in India’s economic growth,” he told media persons here soon after taking charge.
“It is too early to talk about this. I will discuss these issues with my officials. Let me first understand the ministry. Then, I will respond to all the queries,” he added.
The joint meeting of rail and road transport ministries resolved to undertake the issue of completion of rail over bridges (ROB) at railway crossings on priority. According to sources, the meeting also discussed issues including road connectivity where rail links are not possible, besides feeder roads to important rail routes and their maintenance.
Officials resolved their differences over finalising proposed ROBs and RUBs. There are 85 ROBs proposed at level crossings through national highways. They could not be finalised for the last 18 months because of differences over design. The joint meeting decided to clear 46 out of these.
“The designs should be finalised before awarding the contracts. There should be a time frame for finalising designs and completion of work as these are important public utility projects. Railways and NHAI should work together to evolve a system for it,” said Joshi.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had also criticised the delay in construction of ROBs and RUBs as most of the accidents occur at unmanned level crossings.
The joint meeting was attended by Railway Board Chairman Vinay Mittal, the Chairman of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and other high level officials of both the ministries.