The Hindu : National : Model stations not feasible, says Lalu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 08, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

Model stations not feasible, says Lalu

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Taking on Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, her predecessor and RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Tuesday said the proposal in the budget to upgrade 50 railway stations to world class was a “concept” which could not be implemented.

“I had also announced a similar scheme and included Patna station in the list. But it could never take off,” Mr. Prasad told the Lok Sabha during the debate on the Railway budget.

This “serious” remark from Mr. Prasad puts a question mark on the United Progressive Alliance government’s promises, Ananth Kumar (BJP) said. He was referring to Ms. Banerjee’s promise to upgrade 309 stations as ‘model’ stations, when Mr. Prasad intervened. The comments by Mr. Prasad provoked all-round laughter in the House.

Quoting Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani, who was present in the House at that time, Mr. Kumar said: “Advaniji is saying that after such an admission by Mr. Prasad, there is no need for a debate.”

Mr. Kumar said Mr. Prasad had put a question mark on his five budgets as Railway Minister (during the previous tenure of the UPA government). “It is a serious matter as it shows that he made only empty slogans and implemented nothing,” he said.

Ms. Banerjee had promised to bring out a white paper on the Railways indicating its present organisational, operational and financial status based on its performance in the last five years and develop a “Vision 2020” along with the short and long-term strategy and plan of action to realise it.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National