CR earmarks Rs. 20k-cr for suburban rail system

In a major makeover drive for the much-stressed Central Railway suburban system, the management is currently in the process of working out an ambitious Rs. 20,000-cr plan to improve rail services. The plan included acquisition of 150 new rakes, building and introduction of additional routes including constructing adequate parking lines, General Manager, Akhil Agrawal said. He also reiterated that the report of a committee on improving the suburban services will be implemented in its true spirit and the department will take an appropriate decision on this score. The committee cautioned that the situation with the existing stock can be explosive by 2030, as the number of casualties will multiply manifold due to open doors on the trains, the committee stresses that CR trains need air-conditioning and door closures much before the Western Railway. The panel envisages that half of the projected investment is to go for acquiring new rakes, while the stabilizing lines or parking places for trains have been aimed at reducing piling up and the facilities will be developed on self-financing basis.

Published: 05 October 2016