Indian Railways says it will expedite the installation of security equipment. An integrated security system will strengÂthen the surveillance over sensitive and vulnerable stations. Railways is also strengthening its internal systems by ensuring maintenance of its
assets-rolling stock and fixed assets.
Accidents have been fewer this year, but has a long way to go before reaching world standards. The new Minister of State for Railways Mukul Roy, Mamata Banerjee's poster boy and nominee for her earlier ministerial post, has declared passenger safety as his top priority. However, it is unclear where the money will come from for the beleaguered ministry, which has not been purchasing adequate wagons to adÂdress industry needs. (See the Cover Story section of our May issue.)
The Railways has set a gross traffic receipts target of Rs 106,239 crore for the year 2011-12, but that seems likely to achieve unless scrap disposal, publicity and commercial utilisation of land are taken up urgently.
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