Shri Dinesh Trivedi, Hon’ble Minister for Railways visited Secunderabad on a day’s tour today, ie. 26th December, 2011 - his first ever visit to South Central Railway.
During his visit, he held a Performance Review Meeting of South Central Railway at the Zonal Headquarters - Rail Nilayam - with Shri G.N.Asthana, General Manager and other Principal Heads of Departments. Shri G.N.Asthana made a Power Point Presentation highlighting the performance of South Central Railway for the period April to November, 2011 in various spheres of activity .
Shri Dinesh Trivedi made detailed enquiries on various performance parameters like freight loading, financial performance, Safety, passenger amenities, line capacity issues and infrastructural improvements etc., as also on the steps required to further improve safety and financial performance of Railways..He reviewed the loading in various streams of freight traffic and suggested a churning in revenue mix to maximise the earnings.Shri Trivedi appreciated the commendable performance of South Central Railway on various fronts.The Hon’ble Minister for Railways laid emphasis on two top priority issues – Safety and Earnings – where maximum thrust is to be put in by staff at all levels.
The Railway Minister instructed to follow a ‘Zero Compromise’ Policy on Safety so as to ensure that no accidents take place by meticulously following the established systems and safe methods of working.He exhorted the officials to keep ‘customer’ as the focal point and take into account the needs of customers before taking up any work/scheme.He emphasized on the need for more research and innovation in Railway Systems, so as to have a thorough up-gradation and modernization of infrastructure to herald railways into a new generation of reforms. He interacted with the senior officers present and had a meaningful interaction on various suggestions on further improvement of Railways.
After the Review Meeting, Shri Dinesh Trivedi inspected the Secunderabad Railway Station.He had a close look at the various passenger amenities provided on Platforms including the Passenger Information Systems, ATVMs, Signage Boards, Waiting Halls and Ticket Counters, etc.He later inspected Platform No.1 and had a look at the recently completed track apron works, cleanliness and maintenance of station premises. He also inspected the Food Plaza on the Platform No.1, where he enquired about the quality of the food and tasted for himself the food being served there.During the station inspection, Shri Dinesh Trivedi interacted with the Railway staff, the passengers and the Media Personnel. He expressed his happiness on various passenger amenities provided at Secunderabad Station and also on the proper upkeep, maintenance and cleanliness of the Station premises.He praised that Secunderabad Station is “Model Station one can take lessons from”.
Answering to the questions from Media Personnel on MMTS Phase II in the twin cities, he replied that the Railway Board is seized of the matter and a decision on further action will be taken soon.Two lifts and two escalators will be provided at Secunderabad Railway station shortly and the infrastructure will be upgraded at this station, he added .
On the issue of possible hike in railway fares, the Hon’ble Minister mentioned the fact that there has been no hike in the Railway fares in the last eight years.Keeping in view the present financial position, Railway Ministry is thinking of various means to augment the revenue, without adversely affecting the ‘Aam Aadmi’, the common man.
In appreciation of the upkeep and maintenance of Secunderabad Railway Station, the Hon’ble Minister for Railways announced a cash award of Rs.50,000 to the Station Staff, Secunderabad.
