PM Modi rules out privatisation of Railways, calls it backbone of development

Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday stated that he wants the development of the nation and railways to proceed together, at the same time calling for the fulfilment of India's requirements via the 'Make in India' initiative.

"My life was forged by the railways, so nobody can love the railways more than me. I want our nation to develop with the development of railways," Prime Minister Modi said after inaugurating the High Horse Power AC cab locomotive at the Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) workshop here.

"We don't see the railways only as a means to travel. We see it as the backbone of India's development," he added.

The Prime Minister further shared his vision on how the two can move forward together.

"The railways have electricity, infrastructure and a widespread network. There are also small stations in villages across the country where a train arrives only once in a day. If we establish two skill development centres at every such railway station, we can utilize the railway resources without investing extra money," he said.

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Calling for participation in the 'Make in India' initiative, Prime Minister Modi also denied that the Railways sector was heading towards privatisation.

"Through our 'Make in India ' programme, we have called upon the youth of the nation. Why can't we fulfill our requirements by production within our nation only? There is nothing a country with majority of population below 35 years of age, cannot do," he stated.

"The people, who are spreading rumours of privatization of railways, are completely wrong. What we want to do is to put more money for development of railways," he added.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi flagged off the new WDP4d locomotive and interacted with the engineers operating it. He also inspected the lay-out model of the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL).