JOIN USNew Union Railway Minister D V Sadananda Gowda intends to bring innovation in the railways, than routine sanctioning of new trains, railway stations and divisions.
He gave a hint about his ideas for the railway ministry at a felicitation programme organised by the BJP district unit at the party office, during his maiden visit to the city after swearing in as the minister, on Saturday.
“Providing safety, security, service and speed are my priorities as the railway minister. The Indian railways should develop connectivity with speed, on the lines of how former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee improved road connectivity through golden quadrilateral project,” he said and added that he has envisioned to introduce more number of speed and bullet trains to reduce the time spent on traveling in train.
He termed the revenue generation to the department as a challenge before him. “Previous railway minister Mallikarjuna Kharge in his interim budget had declared 10 per cent tariff hike on passenger fair and five per cent hike on goods trains.
But, fearing criticism, the government order was not issued on the revised tariff. Meanwhile, in the interim budget, several new projects were sanctioned by projecting the income generation in the form of revised tariff.
Now, I have the task of finding out an alternative way to sort out the problem and ensure that the department will not fall short of income,” he said.
Expressing gratitude to the people of DK for supporting him throughout his political journey, he said that Karnataka will be in his priority list.
Visits home
Later, Sadananda Gowda visited his parental house at Devaragunda in Mandekol in Sullia taluk and received blessings from his mother Kamala. |
He was accorded a ceremonial welcome during his visit to the house.
After accepting the sweets and milk which his mother offered to him, he shared the joy ascending the political career, with his family members.
He also offered prayers to the Lord of the house and to ‘Daivas’ at his ancestral house Tharavada.
His brothers D V Shivaram, D V Bhaskar and D V Suresh, wife Datti and son Karthik accompanied him.