NEW DELHI, Feb 24 (IANS): Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today appealed to the people of India not to make the railways a "soft target" and to treat it as "your own service".
Describing the issue of security of passengers and property as a "grave challenge", she said it could not be ensured without the whole hearted cooperation of state governments as law and order in the country was a state subject.
"Railways is a soft target as it is very visible. We lose substantial revenue due to frequent rail-rokos (stop the trains) on various issues where there is no connection with the railways. If any local issue happens, grievances find their outlet on railways," Banerjee said. "As a result, passengers suffer, business suffers, and our economy suffers. Our operations are also disrupted resulting in loss of revenue. I would therefore appeal to the people not to target the railways because it is your own service," the minister said.
She said her ministry will soon bring forward a comprehensive bill to provide security to railway passengers.
