In November 2014, he was sworn-in as Union Railway Minister in the Narendra Modi cabinet. The Railway Budget which was presented in February 2015 was hailed as the first such budget not to take the populist route of announcing new trains. Instead, the focus was more on service delivery, safety, cleanliness and passenger comfort. The Minister took off time from his very busy schedule during the budget session of Parliament, for this email interview with Anuradha Dhareshwar. He urges rail passengers to be patient and look forward to a cleaner and safer travel in the future.
What were the major challenges confronting you while preparing the railway budget? How did you narrow down the priorities?
Mobilisation of resources to improve the quality of service delivery was one of the major challenges. Towards this end, it was important to identify projects which needed to be funded on a priority, as these projects are aimed at easing congestion and generating revenues for railways which could then be used for improvement of services for my customers.
The railway budget has been called historic by a few and lofty and directionless by others. Do you feel some important areas that directly impact the common man got left out? Could you have done better than this?
Ever since I joined the Ministry in November, my entire focus has been on working towards a medium-term action plan which would be announced through the budget. I was, therefore, able to ensure that everything that was important for the development and sustainability of railways was included in the budget. My focus will now be on implementation of my announcements to improve service delivery.
What is the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model that you envisage to get the railways on track? What are the major changes in the PPP policy that you would suggest to make it attractive to investors?
In our action plan we have proposed to take up station redevelopment and logistics parks on PPP mode. The models for these two areas are being firmed up. We will put on the table a framework that is balanced and acceptable to both the partners. I have also set up a one-man committee to suggest measures for strengthening the PPP cell. There are certain models for private participation such as private freight terminals, investment in wagons, sidings, etc. We are consulting the private sector and we will soon come out with a policy which should enable a large quantum of investment in these areas. Investment in these areas has a direct bearing on the revenues of Indian Railways; hence, these are priority areas.
Mumbaikars are disappointed as there is no big announcement in the budget to ease their travel woes, which are phenomenal. Do you feel that the city commuters can ever look forward to safe and reasonably comfortable travel anytime in the near future?
The funds for passenger amenities have been increased by 67% to provide much better facilities to passengers. I have also enhanced funds for lifts and escalators. I am aware about the problems being faced by the commuters of Mumbai. I have directed the General Managers of Western and Central Railway regarding raising of platforms of suburban stations. An announcement has also been made about introduction of AC EMU trains. Announcements regarding integrated transport solutions for metro cities and MUTP III for Mumbai have also been made.
When was the last time you travelled by the local trains or long distance trains? Do you have any experiences to share?
I travel extensively by train. It is because of this that I was able to emphasise in my budget speech about areas on which I would like to work to improve the satisfaction of passengers.
Mumbai commuters would like to see their railway minister just stand on a platform which has the maximum footfalls in Mumbai, during the peak hours to have a first-hand experience of how they travel each day.
I am fully aware of the condition of Mumbai suburban commuters. Things cannot improve overnight. We have to be patient. I am working on measures to make rail travel a happy experience.
How will you ensure the qualitative improvement in services that you have promised in your budget is implemented in a timely manner? Of the many promises, which are the top five visible changes that the commuters will experience six months from now?
We are drawing up an action plan for every item in the budget speech. I am taking up cleanliness in a mission mode. I hope that six months from now commuters will spend less time in buying tickets and also find cleaner trains and stations. Safety enhancement is also a priority area.
How soon will we see bio-toilets in all the trains? If this is going to take time, can we not begin with the most basic necessity, a longer chain for the mugs in the long distance trains with immediate effect?
Hopefully, bio-toilets will be there in all trains by 2019. This year alone 17,000 toilets will be replaced by bio- toilets. I am taking note of your suggestion regarding longer chains.
People in general compartments in long distance trains, especially unreserved are travelling in the most inhuman conditions. The only people who are benefitting from these hapless travelers are the Ticket Collectors who are making huge money. What concrete steps will you take to end this kind of corruption that directly affects the commuters?
I am aware of the problems being faced by people traveling in second class coaches. The problem is mainly because of the wide gap between supply and demand. I am making efforts to increase the carrying capacity of trains. In my budget speech I have mentioned about increasing carrying capacity in trains which are not running at maximum permissible number of coaches. I have also announced that more general class coaches will be added in trains where feasible. I agree that corruption is an important issue which needs immediate attention. I have requested Shri Vinod Rai, former CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) to suggest ways and methods to reduce corruption by improving systems and processes.
On most routes, short distance passengers enter reserved compartments. How do you intend stopping that?
By introducing more surprise checks on trains and penalising railway staff for allowing such commuters to board reserved compartments, and at the same time by increasing the number of unreserved coaches.
What are the concrete measures you will take to plug administrative delays, revenue leakages, corruption and other major problems which have resulted in huge losses for the Railways?
Setting timelines for activities and active monitoring are the mantras that should bring down administrative delays. Revenue leakages on trains are proposed to be reduced by bringing in hand-held terminal devices. I am also taking steps to bring down corruption.
have emphasised on better training for RPF staff. Along with this we have introduced a safety help-line number 182 and also intend to provide surveillance cameras on trains.
Safety concerns have grown manifold in the recent years. Is there a plan in place to beef up the Railway Protection Force (RPF), which looks a bit disconnected from commuters‘ needs of today? Will there be an emphasis on training the force to raise their competence levels, which is so badly required?
Raising competence levels of RPF is of course an area requiring considerable improvement. I have emphasised on better training for RPF staff. Along with this we have introduced a safety help-line number 182 and also intend to provide surveillance cameras on trains.
At some stations trains reach at odd hours. These are small stations where there is no security. Don’t you think security should be provided at these stations and also waiting rooms for people till day break?
Safety and security of passengers is a shared responsibility with the State Governments. We looking into this area and will try to ensure safety and convenience of passengers.
Passengers coming on long distance trains often get cheated by taxi drivers. Why not have prepaid taxis at major stations?
We have introduced a concierge service on a pilot basis and if it is successful, we will be extending it to all major stations.
Can you throw some light on how you plan to improve Konkan Railway and also generate employment for 50,000 people in five years?
We have asked Konkan Railway to improve passenger amenities and sufficient funds will be provided. The financial powers of Konkan Railway have been enhanced for quicker decision making. Doubling of Konkan Railway is also under active consideration.
Konkan Railway has started a system of promoting self help groups to sell their products at railway stations. Taxi drivers and auto rickshaw drivers have also been trained as tourist guides. All these measures would lead to job creation.