NEW DELHI: Maintaining that the Railways will focus on timely completion of ongoing projects, mobilization of funds and safety and passenger amenities, Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda on Tuesday said that FDI in Railways would help big ticket projects such as high-speed and freight corridors.
The Rajya Sabha approved the Railway Budget by a voice vote after debate.
Replying to the two-day long debate on the Railway budget in the House, Gowda made it clear that there was no discrimination against any states.
Referring to the issues raised by AIADMK member V Maitreyan, the Railway Minister said that he would discuss with the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to take forward the measures for Mahamaham festival and do the needful.
Referring to the demands from members from Kerala, Gowda said he had constituted a joint study group with MPs and Railway Ministry officials to sort out problems for the Railway projects in the State.
Gowda said the Bullet train project would be funded through bilateral agreements and FDI without putting any burden on common man.
Alleging that the NDA Government was taking advantage of all UPA programmes and showcasing them as its own, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said Railway budget is just a copy of the UPA budget.