Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan said the Railway Budget is disappointing in that it did not unveil any strategy to make Indian Railways the engine of economic growth.
In a media statement, Dr. JP pointed out that decades of neglect and years of populism have landed the railways in a crisis. Instead of building up reserves on investments made more than a century and half ago, the railways are today forced to borrow at high interest rates and turning projects unviable.
Railways have over the years lost the lion's share of cargo movement to roads. As a result, roads have come under enormous stress. Cargo movement on roads not merely results in higher fuel consumption but contributes to pollution and wear and tear of vehicles.
Dr. JP said that the railways have not paid adequate attention to urban public transport. The Railway Minister ought to have unveiled an innovative plan to integrate rail, road and metro transport in such a way that with a single ticket a passenger can move about in urban areas.
On the whole, Dr. JP said, the railway budget appeared to be an accountant's statement lacking in imagination.
Some other leader like DVVS Varma garu should make a note of the neglected AP and APs demands in the rly budget immediately. Local voice of Loksatta (AP) should be heard immediately.
ReplyDeleteJP Sir, once again a very valid point from you. But so sad that our Leaders who are supposed to take measures to drive the economy positively are ignoring their duty. Most of them are into some sort of transport businesses by getting permits left/right/ center and are busy in making their own money.
ReplyDeleteSad.
Perfect reaction... the reaction of a Visionary Leader on the state of Indian Railways with one simple example of Hyderabad Metro
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MORE IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF RAIL BUDGET IS EXPECTED FROM DR JP NARAYANA.
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