New Delhi: The Lok Sabha passed the Rail Budget for 2015-16 with Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu making a strong pitch for a massive hike in investment forthe Railways.
He announced several schemes to make the Railways stronger technologically, financially and commercially, and said a strong push would be given to achieve a massive hike in the investment for railways, warning that if this was not done, the national transporter will “sink further and further”.
Allaying apprehensions that railways would be privatised, Prabhu said the behemoth was a national asset and its ownership will continue to remain with the people of India, nothwithstanding projects to seek private participation. He also announced setting up of high-level new body, Kaya Kalp Council, to be headed by a distinguished person to turn railways into a vibrant organisation commercially with the participation of private sector.
