July 31, 2024
June Maliah’s speech during the discussion and voting on the demands for grants under the control of the Ministry of Railways for 2024-25
Thank you, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to participate in the discussion on the Demand for Grants under the control of the Ministry of Railways for 2024-25. Sir, as Members of Parliament, we represent the hopes and aspirations of the people of India. We have a significant role in furthering the social and economic welfare of our citizens. Our utmost duty is to oversee the work of the Government, and hold it accountable to ensure effective governance. Railways constitute the infrastructure for every Indian citizen as a fundamental right to move from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’, be it from Kashmir to Kanyakumari or Maharashtra to Assam. Railways is the most popular mode of transport and a lifeline for the citizens of our country to commute on a daily basis thus making it a fundamental mode of transport. Unfortunately, over the years, journey on a train is not so enjoyable and of late it has become nothing short of a nightmare. From basic hygiene to safety, everything is in question. Between 2017 and 2022, a total of 244 train accidents occurred with 15 major accidents reported in the year 2023 alone. Majority of these accidents were caused due to derailments. The average number of consequential train accidents between 2014 to 2023 was 71 per year. Over 50 per cent of the compulsory train safety inspections are not done. Three out of four consequential accidents in the last four years were due to derailments. Over 2.5 lakh posts in the Railways are lying vacant as of June 2023, with more than 1.5 lakh of them falling in the safety category. In 2022, the Ministry of Railways said in Parliament and I quote: “Indian Railways has indigenously developed an automatic train protection system, renamed Kavach (Train Collision Avoidance System), to prevent accidents due to human error, resulting in signal passing at danger and over speeding.” Sir, only 2 per cent of the Railway tracks have been covered under Kavach. Where did this government get the idea of Kavach? Let me state that. Sir, when the hon. Chief Minister of West Bengal, Shrimati Mamata Banerjee was the Railway Minister, she had tabled the ‘Vision-2020’ document in the Parliament in the year 2009, in which she had mentioned: “Safety – Zero tolerance for accidents: In 10 years time, Indian Railways would target to banish accidents from its operations. This would be achieved through a combination of technological and HR interventions. Advanced signaling technology (such as automatic verification of train movement and line occupation through track circuiting/axle counters, Train Protection Systems and Anti-Collision Devices) would be used in combination with training of station and running staff to eliminate collisions.” Sir, the first anti-collision device was implemented in Goa during her tenure. As the Railway Minister, during the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, she ensured that the entire railway line was laid out in one night to urgently deliver life-saving supplies. Unfortunately, this year, rather this month itself, from July 18th to July 30th, about eight accidents have already taken place, most of which were due to derailments. Through you, I would request the hon. Railway Minister to look into the matter with serious intervention as it is affecting not only the citizens of India but also tarnishing the reputation of the Indian Railways. Now, let me raise the voice of the senior citizens in this august House. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, senior citizens, including the third gender senior citizens, used to get a special concession while booking the ticket. Men and the third gender passengers of the age of 60 and above, and women of the age of 58 and above were entitled to 50 per cent concession. But now, it looks like the Government has no intention to relaunch this facility. ls it because the Government has earned Rs. 2,200 crore by suspending concession for senior citizens last year? I would also like to bring to your attention that Rs. 1200 crore have been earned from the cancelled waiting list tickets in the last three years. The senior citizens, including the third gender senior citizens, deserve to get back their rights as they comprise a major part of the total passengers travelling by railways on a daily basis. Sir, with this, I would also like to add that when theatre actors used to travel out of station for non-profit performances under their respective theatre groups, they were entitled to get up to 75 per cent discount on ticket reservation. This facility too has been silently withdrawn by the Railway Department. Over the years, the theatricians have contributed majorly in the field of art and culture in our country. Through you, I would request the hon. Minister to consider this matter as well. Hon. Chairperson Sir, while we talk about modernization and introduction of bullet trains, we have to keep in mind that freight forms the primary source of revenue for Indian Railways, which is 65 per cent of the estimated internal revenue in 2024-25. Sir, please give me two more minutes. Sir, please give me two more minutes as this is my maiden speech. Thus, priority should be given to dedicated freight corridor. One kilometre of dedicated freight corridor costs Rs. 725 crore, while it is almost Rs. 200 crore for a bullet train. I am not against bullet trains, though. Moreover, the delay of the bullet train project has led to cost doubling from Rs. 1 lakh crore to Rs 2 lakh crore. Sir, before I end, I would take this opportunity to mention a little about my own Constituency, Medinipur in West Bengal. Kharagpur town is situated in my Constituency, Medinipur. I would urge the hon. Minister to look into the matters pending there. Sir, I will conclude in just one minute. Sir, I would urge the hon. Minister to look into the matters which are pending, such as construction of underpasses, flyovers and overbridges. These have been sanctioned but the work has not yet started. Moreover, there is a need for extension of railway tracks, periodical maintenance of railway lines, filling of job vacancies, and adding more stoppages of express trains. Sir, there is a need for adding more stoppages of express trains at Belda Railway Station, upgrading the railway quarters, and allowing the Kharagpur Municipality to provide basic infrastructure to the railway colonies in Kharagpur town. I hope, the hon. Minister will look into these matters with utmost concern. I thank you once again for letting me to participate in this discussion. Jai Hind! Jai Bangla! Jai Medinipur!
