Prez Mukherjee lauds Indian Railways for carrying out economic development with tremendous responsibility

President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday lauded the Indian Railways for carrying out economic development with tremendous responsibility, and urged incoming probationers of the Indian Railway Service of Engineers, Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers and Railway Protection Force to uphold and take this tradition of excellence forward.

The President said that the Indian Railways is not only one of the largest rail networks in the world, but also one of those which are well managed.

"With 66,000 Km of route length, the track network of the Indian railways stretches to almost every nook and corner of the country. It carries 23 million passengers daily," he said.

He stated that Indian Railways has a deeper meaning than being a mere transportation system. It integrates far-flung areas of the country. Like the Indian Post Office, it is one of the few organizations in the country which have a truly national character having influence over the whole country. In undertaking journeys the individual identities of the people who are travelling are replaced by the fact that they all are passengers.

He said that the Indian Railways is not just a commercial organization. It has also extended help and support to the needy when required. It has carried on the tremendous responsibility of economic development of the country.

However, Indian Railways is also faced with manifold challenges which include ensuring safety, security and the punctual running of trains.

He urged the probationers to make a meaningful contribution through this service to a great nation to which they belonged.