Railways to undergo complete overhaul in five years: Minister

Minister of state for railways Manoj Sinha said here on Wednesday that railways would undergo a complete overhaul in next five years.

Minister of state for railways Manoj Sinha said here on Wednesday that railways would undergo a complete overhaul in next five years.

He said the Union government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had granted `8.5 lakh crore for bringing railways back on track and strengthening its infrastructure.

Sinha was speaking at the inauguration function of foot overbridge (FOB) and other works of development at different locations through video conferencing at Buxar station on Wednesday.

“To ensure 100% punctuality of trains running between Mughalsarai and Allahabad, railways has approved a project of laying down the third railway line between these locations. Trains won’t get delayed on this section in next few years after completion of this railway line,” he said, adding that the railways would welcome private participation for developing facilities for passengers.

The minister said the foot over bridge at Buxar would help the passengers reach one platform to another safely. A new concourse built at a cost of `45 lakh at Buxar was also dedicated to the nation by the minister.

The minister also inaugurated a railway over bridge (RoB) at Harinagar railway station through video conferencing that was built at a cost of `35.37 crore on the Narkatiyaganj-Panihyaba section.

For this project railways had allotted `12.31 crore, while the state government’s share was `22.46 crore, he said.

Commenting on Sonepur- Digha and the Munger rail bridges, the minister said railways had allotted enough amount for speedy completion of both the bridges.

On this occasion, Buxar MP Ashwini Kumar Choubey also announced `25 lakh from his MPLAD fund for an approach road at Buxar railway station.

Other prominent present on the occasion were general manager, East Central Railway, AK Mittal and other senior officials.

Meanwhile, the minister would inaugurate retiring room and waiting room at Karbigahia end of Patna Junction on Thursday.