Gowda's first 100 days as rail minister fail to impress

Assessed against expectations, the performance of Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda in the first 100 days of the National Democratic Alliance government fails to impress.

“Safety and security of passengers is my key priority,” Gowda said, addressing the media at a press conference here on Monday.

However, eight train accidents in the past three months and failure to amend the Railways Act, 1989, to limit the railways’ liability for accidents don’t support Gowda’s statement.

Though a review of the recommendations of a high-level committee on railway safety was undertaken, no substantial step was taken to implement the measures suggested.

Gowda has however, done away with 176 unmanned level crossings, against the targeted 125 in 100 days.

On another rise in passenger fares, Gowda said the system in place would do its job, refusing to specify.

In June, the railways had raised passenger fares 14 per cent and freight rates 6.5 per cent, under the fuel adjustment component system.

A partial roll-back of this was, however, carried out for suburban trains, following opposition to the move.

A review of passenger and freight rates is undertaken every six months.

Gowda has also failed to offer clarity on reforming the Railway Board, a key announcement in the 2014-15 Railway Budget.

“This is a matter Prime Minister Narendra Modi should address,” he said when asked about the steps taken to restructure the board.

On the alleged ties between the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation and a Saradha Group-owned travel company, the minister said a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation was underway, adding there was no need for a separate probe by the Railways.

Recently, the Cabinet had paved the way for private investment, including foreign investment, in Indian Railways.

“We are assessing various projects where private players have shown interest,” Gowda said when asked about coming projects through the foreign direct investment route.

Image: Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda arrives to present the railway budget for the 2014/15 fiscal year. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters