March 15, 2022
Nusrat Jahan speaks during the discussion and voting on the Demands for Grants under the control of the Ministry of Railways for 2022-23
Sir, I rise to speak on the Demands for Grants relating to the Ministry of Railways. The Indian Railways is the second largest transport system in Asia. There are 13,453 passenger trains carrying 2.3 crore passengers, and 9,141 freight
trains carrying 30 lakh tonnes of goods plying through 7,349 stations daily. It is as per the Government statistics. Such a huge system working in the country may be called as the lifeline of India. But it is a matter of great regret that the fares of railway tickets have increased at every budgetary proposal of the present Government. To travel in
trains like Rajdhani Express or the Duronto Express, it has become out of reach for the common people, which back in the past was much easier, and tickets were much easily purchased at the time when our present hon. Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee was the Railway Minister of India. That was, actually, the glorious era of the Indian Railways. It was the feeling that Indian Railways would function as a Railway family. My question to
the hon. minister is this. Can you tell us the number of trains run on solar power in our country? On July, 14th, 2017, India’s first solar operated vehicle was launched at Safdarjung Railway Station, New Delhi. The solar power train can
save us from pollution and thick black smoke that we get from diesel engines. Therefore, my proposal to the hon. Railway Minister is that the main thrust should be given on modernisation and safety of passengers. There was an assurance of new bullet train corridors. What is the result? Is a bullet train that we see in Japan possible to run in our country? It is because our soil is not fit for such type of trains to operate. So, the current Government is, basically, misguiding the nation. The First High-Speed Rail System is being attempted to mark as bullet train. The names of seven corridors have been announced but no budgetary support has been provided. Why is the nation
being bluffed? You have already sold Air India. When is this shubh mahurat of selling the Indian Railways? We also need to know that. The proposals of PPP models have already been started which is the beginning of this ultimate
purpose. We need to increase connectivity in a bigger way with coal and port connectivity projects. I would like to know from the hon. Minister about the future plan to run the Indian Railways. Is there any plan to sell it part-by-part to the private parties? I had already, in this House, mentioned that this Government is in a mood to sell all the public sector companies even if they are profit making. I hope that the Indian Railways do not have the same kind of fate which we are apprehending. The reforms are meant to make the Railways more efficient, greener and modern which will translate it into a cheaper, safer and assured mode of transport for our common man. The trains are not running on time. There is a huge delay which is causing trouble to the common passengers. The issue of cleanliness of toilets is also an important issue. These are very small things. In how many trains, bio-toilets have been set up by the Railways? I would also like to make one request to my fellow MP colleagues. From the money that we get from the MPLADS fund, why can we not utilise a small amount for setting up chairs at railways stations in our respective constituencies? Here, in West Bengal, we, MPs, do that. I have done that. A lot of other people have done
that. These are very small matters but of urgent importance. Sir, I would end with a few other questions. How many proposals proposed in the National Railway Plan have been implemented? I alleged that West Bengal has been deprived in this Railway Budget. Please try to implement all the proposals which were proposed by the then hon. Railway Minister, Shrimati Mamata Banerjee, on the floor of this House. Last but not least, I want to ask how far it is true that one lakh group ‘D’ vacancies including Gangman and more than 30,000 group ‘C’ vacancies exist. If so, then, when will these vacancies be filled? It is because in our country, the hungry and unemployed youth are, actually, fighting.… (Interruptions) Yes, Sir. I mean, that expression is lovely but they are, actually, fighting. There is no employment here. We are struggling. It is not only my view but the research said so. So, with so much hunger in this country, what is your Government doing about it? We are all in favour of the Railways and we want to see that it is being run smoothly with comfort and thinking of security for the people at tolerable costs, so that everybody can avail its facilities. Thus, myself and my party does not support this Budget. Thank you, Sir.
