Need to relook and bring changes in Indian Railways: Suresh Prabhu

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Monday called for "relook" and "changes" in the Indian Railways for its smooth run in the future.

"We need to relook at many things. We also need to change so that we can run successfully for the next 200-300 years,"Prabhu said here. He was speaking on the occasion of 60th Railway Week National Awards Function-2015 here. "Our society changes, country changes. When a change comes, we don't need to worry that it will be negative. We have to change, if we don't, then we will lag behind," Prabhu said.

He, however, did not elaborate on the changes that the Indian Railways need to focus on. "We have the potential to run the Railways efficiently. We can increase the speed and expand direction. The people of the country should take pride in Indian Railways," the minister said.

Citing example of China, he said Indian Railways should also grow in similar manner to contribute to the country's economy. "Change should not happen for the sake of change. This will be dangerous. We need to introspect where change is required,"he said.

Prabhu also said holding the National Awards Function in Guwahati for the first time signifies the NDA government's thrust to improve connectivity to the North East. On job reservations to people from the region, the minister told reporters on the sidelines of the event that the Railways would "never discriminate the North East." "The eight states of the North East are far more important than many other states of the country," he added.