Prabhu seeks new ideas to take Railways ahead

New Delhi: Accepting challenges before the national transporter, Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Wednesday sought innovative ideas and futuristic vision to make Railways turnaround.

"There are challenges. Railways should rise to the occasion. People have expectations from us," Prabhu said at a function at the renovated National Rail Museum (NRM) here.

Prabhu launched a first of its kind toy train and musical fountain at the museum besides releasing a coffee table book on railways.

Exuding confidence, Prabhu hoped the performance of ailing railways would improve with a clear vision.

"Railways would definitely make turnaround. It has a better future and for that we must have a clear vision," he said, adding, there is a need for improving customer service.

"We must innovate and think differently as time has changed. A futuristic vision of railway is required to make it happen," he said.

Prabhu asked the NRM to create a dedicated platform for soliciting views from visitors about their futuristic vision about railways.

Museum should create a pavilion for the future. A futuristic vision of railway is required.

Prabhu also released a coffee table book on railways - "More Miles, More Smiles" featuring many facets of the public transporter.

"We have a book on what happened in railways. There should also be a book on what should happen in railways," he said.

The minister said that people have "love-hate relationship" with railways and criticism should be taken in a constructive manner.

"People have high expectations. Prime Minister has identified railways now as one of top priorities", said Prabhu.

On the role of museum in preserving legacy, he said "Museums are custodians of history. Museum should store history but not become history itself. That is why the NRM is now being renovated."

The renovated museum with new toy train, music fountain and other rides, is expected to draw more visitors.

Prabhu also took a ride alongwith senior railway officials on the 10-seater new diesel-run toy train.