The Railways explained its conflicting social and economic goals and how it was operating with a “safety first” motto at a meeting with the members of the 15th Finance Commission (FFC) here on Tuesday. The FFC discussed with the Railways aspects relating to productivity, monetising assets, long-term need for rationalisation of fares, and realistic medium-term revenue and expenditure projections, an official release said. The discussions were intended to enable FFC gain a good understanding of Railway finances and also for its “overall draft on Central Finances between 2020 and 2025”, the period to be covered by the current Finance Commission, the release added.

The 15th Finance Commission held productive interaction with Piyush Goyal, Minister for Railways, Ashwani Lohani, Chairman, Railway Board, and other officials.

“Balancing social compulsions with economic viability is always challenging. The Minister further stressed that the Railways is undergoing transformation in thinking and its operations by using its resources more effectively. Safety first is the motto of the Railways,” a release quoted the Minister as saying.

Officials also highlighted the recent measures taken to improve passenger comfort, strengthen infrastructure, increasing speed and lower idling time. Measures to improve capital expenditure in various initiatives like speeding up electrification, doubling of track, technical upgrading and modernising the signals, making railways open defecation free and environment friendly, were also discussed.

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