Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu calls for long term reforms in Rail Budget 2015

Envisioning a brighter future for the Indian railways, Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu suggested four main goals to revive the lifeline of India.

"We want to work on these four goals; to deliver a sustained improvement in customer experience; make railways a safer means of travel; modernise infrastructure of railways and expand capacity and finally make railways financially self-sustainable," said Prabhu in his maiden budget speech.

Confident on delivering the promises, Prabhu ensured that the government can resurrect the Indian Railways. “However, this cannot happen overnight,” he added.

Elaborating on the current scenario, he said under investment in the sector hampered the growth of the railways. “I thank people for giving me this opportunity. PM challenged us when he talked about the need for about poverty elimination," Prabhu said. "This is an organisation that touches the heart of all Indians. Railways can play a prime role in PM's dream of eliminating poverty from India,” noted the minister.

Giving pointers ahead of the Railway budget, Prabhu suggested that long term reforms were the need of the hour to improve the railways. “The budget will set the direction of long and difficult road of reform. We have tried our best to fulfill people's aspirations and expectation (in the budget) despite the fact that railways is passing through hard times,” said Prabhu.