Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday in New Delhi said Maoist violence and bandhs have cost it Rs 500 crore and asked the states to provide security to rail
passengers and property.
"We have lost Rs 500 crore because of Maoist violence and bandhs... called by opportunists," she said while replying to the debate on demands for grants for Railways for
2010-11 in the Lok Sabha today.
Highlighting the financial constraints to meet the demands raised by the members, Banerjee said implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission had imposed a burden of Rs
55,000 crore on the railways.
Besides, she said, the Railways would have to bear an additional burden of Rs 610 crore on account of rise in diesel price and Rs 275 crore towards service tax.
Asserting that the government does not intend to privatise Railways, Banerjee said the Railways would not sell any surplus land but would pursue commercial utilisation of
the property through Public Private Partnership mode.
Out of 8,000 railway stations, 7,000 would be developed through private sector participation, she said adding, "they will be given economic (revenue) share."
She further said Railways would develop educational institutions, housing for poor and health centres on their land in collaboration with concerned ministries.
The demands for grants were later passed by voice vote in the Lok Sabha after rejecting the cut motions moved by the Opposition.
Elaborating on Maoist violence and bandhs, Banerjee said law and order is a state subject and the state governments should ensure security of railway passengers and
operation.
On pending projects, she said Railways had about Rs 1 lakh crore worth projects lying unimplemented for years while they have provision for Rs 11,000 crore only.
She said Railways are committed to cover all unmanned level crossings across the country in the next four years.
"There are 16,000 unmanned level crossings out of which 4,000 will be manned in the current year. Rest will be covered in the coming years." she said.
Banerjee also sought funds from the states to construct flyovers and underpasses as 50 per cent of the cost is borne by them.
Acknowledging the acute shortage of wagons and coaches she said there is a need to have more wagon and coach factories in the country.
Responding to the criticism that India has not done much in comparison with China in railway sector, she said, "Ours is a democratic set up whereas China has autocratic.
We have to take care of the poor people and discharge our social and political obligations."
"China is spending billions in rail infrastructure while we have many constraints," the minister said.
She assured the House that all schemes declared in the Budget would be completed in time. PTI
