Budget allocation for Rlys in Bengal higher than that of last year

The Budgetary allocation for Bengal in Railways has been increased in comparison to the previous year, said Eastern Railway general manager Ghanshyam Singh on Wednesday.

"This year, that is 2017-18, the allocation for Bengal is Rs 6,336 crore. In 2016-17 the allocation was Rs 3,820 crore," said the General Manager.

However, the allocation was Rs 3,615 crore in 2015-16 and Rs 2,907 crore in 2014-15 and Rs 1,604.07 crore was allocated in 2013-14, the General Manager said.

"The allocation for Bengal has been increased this year. In Bengal, we have many development projects in pipeline," said the General Manager further said.

"LED lights will be installed in Howrah, Sealdah and other stations. We'll install such lights in 35 per cent of stations in Eastern Railways. That will help to decrease carbon footprints," he added.

"We'll set up solar energy plant in most of the stations. We have also taken adequate safety measures. We are discussing the safety related matters with international experts from South Korea, Japan, France and Italy to curb accident," the General Manager further added.

The General Manager, however, said that people are coming back to use rail as their mode of transportation in long distance again. "It is true that people started to turn towards low-cost airways, but now they have realised that Railways is the best option for them. I believe that 85 per cent of our customers are back," Singh added.

"We have started to publish a tabloid magazine to communicate better with the passengers. Jeevan Rekha, the magazine is now very popular," Singh said.

However, the Railways will implement competitive ticket booking facility to the public at large. Service charge of e-ticket booked through IRCTC will be withdrawn. Cashless reservations have gone up from 58 per cent to 68 per cent, the general manager of Eastern Railway further said.