• PAGE ONE
• INDEX
• HOME

Use of IT for customer interface welcomed

Our Bureau

CALCUTTA, Feb. 25

DESCRIBING the Railway Budget as ``pragmatic, growth-oriented and passenger-friendly,'' Mr. Ravi Todi, President of Merchants Chamber of Commerce (MCC) singled out measures such as use of IT for easier customer interface and introduction of several new t rains, in the face of severe financial constraints as ``bold and innovative''.

He urged the Railway Minister to reconsider the 5 per cent across-the-board hike in freight, coming on top of the 4 per cent hike effected last year, and keep it within 2-3 per cent. He welcomed the idea of using optic fibre cable to develop Railways' ow n telecom and multi-media network, and said it would increase all-round efficiency. He particularly lauded the benefits extended to West Bengal, such as introduction of 5 new trains from Howrah/Sealdah, increasing the capacity and frequency of some train s and extension of the Metro Railway and Circular Railway.

Mr. S.K. Khaitan, President of Bharat Chamber of Commerce, was highly appreciative of steps such as rail-sponsored road trailers for door-to-door deliveries, special wagons attached to passenger trains and warehousing facilities at terminals.

Describing the much-awaited involvement of the private sector in commercialisation of Railway services as a step in the right direction, he was, however, critical of the 5 per cent hike in freight and 7 per cent increase in scales of parcel and luggage r ates. He said this may lead to further diversion of goods traffic to other modes of transportation.