Piyush Goyal passes the buck to previous governments; says problems of Railways were inherited by them

After the Elphinstone Road station stampede which resulted in death of 23 people, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday defended government by saying that problems in Railways are not new and it was just passed on to them as inheritance.

"Not an excuse but problems in Indian Rail aren't 1-2 years old, they accumulated over years and were given to us in '14 as inheritance," said Piyush Goyal.

Goyal questioned people who oppose Bullet Train. He said that the people who oppose it must answer if they want to keep people unsafe and do they still believe in 100 year old technology?

"13 FOBs in Western Railway approved for widening and 10 new FOBs approved. 20 new FOBs on Central Railway approved. All to be completed in 1 year," said Piyush Goyal.

Earlier in the day, Goyal said that they are turning 150 year old convention on its head and hereafter foot over bridges will be deemed mandatory and not a passenger amenity.

"To eliminate bureaucracy and delays, I have empowered GMs to spend whatever is necessary on safety," said Piyush Goyal.

Railway Minister informed that additional escalators have been sanctioned at crowded Mumbai suburban stations and thereafter for all high traffic stations.

"200 officers to be relocated from Head Quarters as field staff to strengthen ground operations and project implementation," said Piyush Goyal. 

Sharing decisions taken today in a high-level meeting on Railways Safety in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/8IQ1d9iKpF

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) September 30, 2017