accidents in India has come down, as per the "global index".
accidents in India has come down, as per the "global index".
"It does not mean I am happy with this. We would like to work towards zero accident," he said.
He said the government is changing rolling stock and making sure that tracks are properly renewed. The Rail safety fund will be used to eliminate unmanned level crossings.
On renewal of tracks, the government has set a target of 3500 km at a cost of Rs 10,153 crore for the year 2017-18.
Prabhu said the Railways is using and is in the process of using various modern technologies to avoid accidents caused by human errors.
In this context, he listed out the new technologies like ultra sonic detection system, train protection warning system, train collision avoidance system, use of strong couplings.
"Without using these technologies, we will not be able to avoid accidents," he said.
Referring to the congestion in rail lines, Prabhu said currently 16 per cent of the track is catering to the 60 per cent of the traffic, as a result of which major trunk routes are saturated.
"That is why we are doing expansion of rail track through doubling and tripling."
Citing the paucity of space at stations for accommodating the increasing number of trains, he said he was wondering whether rail tracks could be constructed beneath and above the existing ones to docongest the platforms.
Making a comprarison with the previous governments, he said "In the last two-and-a-half years, we have done 12,700 km long doubling of tracks whereas total doubling done since 1947 was 15,000 kms."
He also said there is a significant increase in the capital expenditure. "Rs 1.31 lakh crore has been allocated in the Capex for the 2017-18 including Rs 55000 crore for Gross Budgetary Support."
Highlighting decline in investment in the railways and increase in the road sector over the years, he said "The government has decided to go for more investment in the rail sector. Railways has earmarked Rs 8.5 lakh crore for the five years."
Prabhu said the railways is trageting to generate Rs 17,500 crore as non-fare revenue in the next fiscal.
Non-fare revenue refers to branding of trains, advertising at stations and platforms.
Prabhu said freight has declined but expressed confidence that loading will rise in the future as freight rate has been rationalised to attract more loadings. (More)
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
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