IRCTC needs to be modernised, says Trivedi -Governance Now

IRCTC needs to be modernised, says Trivedi

Website of the IRCTC needs to be strengthened and modernised, affirms Trivedi

PTI | September 22, 2011

With frequent complaints about IRCTC services, Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction with its functioning, saying the corporation needs to be modernised.

"I am not happy with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, the way it is functioning. We had a meeting on IRCTC on Tuesday. The website of the IRCTC needs to be strengthened and modernised," Trivedi told reporters.

There have been frequent complaints about IRCTC services including its catering service on board trains and its online passenger reservation system. Railways have already divested the IRCTC, a PSU under it, from catering responsibility after recurring complaints about its service.

The Minister informed that SIMRAN (Satellite Imaging Rail Navigation) system for tracking trains on real-time basis would be operational soon. Admitting the lack of basic amenities outside railway stations, Trivedi said he will write to all Chief Ministers and Mayors for improving the conditions outside stations.

"We have plan for modernisation of stations to provide more facilities like restaurant, mall, bookstore, multiplex for passengers," he said. Trivedi said all rail land records would be digitalised.

On railways social responsibility, he said "Out of 150 projects only 14 are financially viable. But all these projects are socially desirable. There are remote areas which are strategically important and need to be linked with rail."

On public private participation (PPP) he said "we cannot move ahead without PPP. We have to have PPP. In 12th Plan one trillion dollars is required for infrastructure and out of this 50 per cent is coming from private sector." He said each MP wants train stoppage and new train for his constituency.

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