Flexi fare system to be reviewed: Goyal -Governance Now

Flexi fare system to be reviewed: Goyal

Railways should go green and use renewable energy to bring down pollution, says minister

GN Bureau | September 28, 2017

#unmanned crossing #safety #Piyush Goyal #Railways #flexi fare

Railway minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said the safety issue is of paramount importance and more measures are being taken to ensure safer operations.

He laid emphasis on making the railways more reliable for passengers.

While addressing the media on Thursday, Goyal said the traffic department is reviewing the time table of the railways to give adequate time to maintenance blocks to ensure repair and maintenance of the tracks are done properly.

“Field inspections, regular monitoring of tracks and maintenance blocks have to be given priority and the railways is working on this direction,” he said.

In what could be seen as a respite to people, Goyal hinted that flexi fare system would be reviewed to reduce the passengers’ problem.

Railways has been drawing criticism ever since it introduced dynamic or flexi fare system on premium trains which levies extra charges on AC first, two and three tier tickets similar to a mechanism adopted by air carriers.

The minister, however, dodged questions on Yashwant Sinha who attacked the government for its failure to improve the economy. Goyal cut short a scribe who asked a question on the economy.

Goyal claimed the vacancies in the safety department and other categories are being filled by the board.

He also said all unmanned level crossings (ULCs) in the country would be eliminated within a year.

The railways is having a tough time because of lack of coordination among many departments, leading to rise in accidents. Goyal said, “The railways needs an integrated approach and working in silos should be stopped.”

He said the railways would give a thrust to electrification and billions of rupees would be saved by reducing dependence on conventional fuel.

The speed of 48 mail and express trains would be increased and the services would be made superfast from November 1.

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