No hike in rail fares: Laloo
By Our Economy Bureau | 26 May 2004
New Delhi: Railways minister Laloo Prasad Yadav took
charge of his ministry yesterday and said that there will
be no hike in rail fares.He also promised punctuality
in the running of trains and a corruption-free railways.
"All
accidents will be thoroughly investigated and responsibility
fixed. Adequate modernisation measures will also be taken
for upgrading the railways," he said.
Prasad said new projects would be undertaken only after
the projects sanctioned under the regime of his predecessors
had been completed.
He said fare for lower classes would not be increased and the rates kept at affordable level. He said free railway passes would be provided to freedom fighters, media persons and senior citizens. The minister said the use of plastic cups would be banned in favour of earthen cups — kulhars — as they are bio-degradable.
Prasad also promised to root out corruption and stop the contract mafia from eating into the railways'' revenue. He said remote areas would be connected by rail links.
He
said he would invite suggestions from all the Members
of Parliament about the kind of projects that needed to
be initiated in their constituencies and the status of
old projects.
He assured that the suggestions would be incorporated
in the next Rail Budget.