Former Metro Man E Sreedharan has appreciated the NDA Government’s rail budget and stated that Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu’s maiden initiative reflects his firm determination to usher a new era in passenger safety, passenger amenities, higher speed and to capture back freight traffic from roads- for all of which massive investments have been planned to increase capacity, modernisation and upgradation of technology.
In a letter to Prabhu, Sreedharan said that all railway men and the nation will stand by the minister in his endeavours to modernise the national transporter. “As a hard core Railway man, associated with Indian Railways for the last 60 years and deeply concerned about the future of Indian Railways, I must admire the vision and foresight displayed by Sri Suresh Prabhu in presenting his path breaking Railway budget. The budget ensures a solid foundation for a healthy and dynamic growth of Indian Railways,” Sreedharan said. He pointed said that the accelerated pace of railway electrification is a step in the right direction to achieve fuel economy and enhanced output.
“He (Prabhu) has rightly envisaged a five year growth plan with a massive investment of Rs.8.5 lakh crore. The innovative steps he proposes to take, including setting up a financing cell in the Railway Board, to mobilize funds, in addition to internal accruals and gross budgetary support, brings out the banker’s instincts in him,” said the man credited with tasking the Delhi Metro and earlier Konkan Railway.
Appreciating the Budget announcement of partnering with State Governments for getting projec ts completed in time, Sreedharan said the key reason for success of Konkan Railway was the unique partnership forged between Railways and participating State Governments.
“My greatest admiration for Prabhu is for his focus on a new paradigm of governance structure, delivery mechanism, extensive management reforms and infusion of accountability and responsibility, bringing in an entirely new work culture in the Railways. For this, he has already made a beginning with delegation of all powers for commercial decisions and tenders to General Managers and down below to Operating levels,” said Sreedharan.