Suresh Prabhu Rules Out Railways Privatisation

Citing the example of Japan launching a 650 km per hour speed train, Mr Prabhu said, "Where are we? If we do not have the technology should we remain behind? We should not look outside like ostrich. This is not possible. Therefore, we must look as to who can provide technology will be a partner."

"We do not have money so the one who can provide money, can be our partner. Therefore, getting private sector participation in railways for better technology or for money does not amount to privatisation."

Asked about the key challenges railways was facing, Mr Prabhu said "challenges are many". "Mindset itself is a challenge. The biggest challenge is the mindset. One is our internal mindset and the second is the people who use railway services."

Asserting that Railways was a joint responsibility, he said it has to be managed both by government and public.

"If you keep thinking I will keep spitting, I will keep spoiling, it is my right since I have bought ticket then it cannot happen. Mindset of people must change. It is a joint endeavour. You cannot be in a demanding position that I must get better service all the time without doing nothing."

"So the mindset must change. So we want to bring ownership issue that everybody owns railways. There are lot of mid-level management people," the minister said.

He said the first challenge was to change the mindset and the other was to convince people that we can achieve something.

"We have targeted higher freight traffic (1.5 billion MT) and this is for the first time in the history of railways that this much target has been set."

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