NEW DELHI // India will spend US$137 billion (Dh500bn) over the next five years to modernise its crumbling railways, pledging to restore the “backbone” of the country to its former glory.
Railways minister Suresh Prabhu said on Thursday the network was crucial to India’s economic development.
“Railways facilities have not improved substantially for the past few decades, which is the result of under-investment that affects capacity, leading to poor morale,” Mr Prabhu told parliament as he delivered the annual rail budget.
He promised to make India’s railways safer, build more lines and increase the speed of journeys on nine major routes.
Mr Prabhu said the government would introduce wi-fi in stations and train the notoriously surly frontline staff in “soft skills” including yoga, seeking to make travelling on India’s railways a more pleasant experience. But he ruled out fare increases after a steep hike last year sparked an angry public response.
“We must restore the strength of Bhartiya [India] Rail as the backbone of our country’s transportation infrastructure,” he said.
Rail modernisation is seen as key to achieving pledges by the right-wing government of prime minister Narendra Modi to revive growth after a long period of economic stagnation under the previous administration.
* Agence France-Presse
