The Railways Minister has touched on the right points, though he has not elaborated on the implementation of many of them. Specifically, on passenger amenities, he has talked about having RO drinking water in stations and trains. Provision of clean, drinking water in trains will fill a basic need. Second, the proposal on religious circuit can help the railways garner a lot of revenue. There are many tour operators who take huge sums from the public and from whom the railways gets less than 50 per cent of the revenue.
Suburban railway trains in Bengaluru is a good initiative. If structured properly, it can be a good project for both railways and the city.
Again, e-procurement of all items of above ₹25 lakh is a good move. Along with strategic procurement policies through long-term agreements with vendors, this proposal can hit the roots of vested interests.
The writer is a former Member-Engineering, Railway Board
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