Pune: Baramati MP Supriya Sule Raises Concerns Over Reduced Train Halts At Jejuri, Daund And Nira
Pune: Baramati MP Supriya Sule Raises Concerns Over Reduced Train Halts At Jejuri, Daund And Nira
The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was presented in the Lok Sabha yesterday. During the debate, Supriya Sule, Member of Parliament from Baramati constituency and representing the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), raised several critical issues concerning the railway sector.
Sule stressed the need to prioritize safety in railways and ensure adequate compensation for victims of train accidents. She lauded the progress in maintaining cleanliness but pointed out lapses in other areas such as train stoppages and facilities for senior citizens.
She expressed concerns over the bill being a mere replica of the 1890 Act, arguing that it centralizes power in the government’s hands. Sule urged the government to decentralize railway administration and grant greater autonomy, especially fiscal authority, to regional offices for improved functionality.
Appreciating the innovation of Vande Bharat trains, Sule drew attention to the fact that these trains do not halt in her Baramati constituency, calling for equitable connectivity across all regions. She also highlighted that railway stoppages in areas like Daund, Nira, and Jejuri have been significantly reduced and requested their restoration to cater to the local population.
Furthermore, Sule advocated for reinstating the pre-COVID concession of 50% on train fares for senior citizens, emphasizing its importance for the elderly population.
She concluded by urging the Hon’ble Speaker to allocate dedicated time in every parliamentary session to discuss the railways, given their critical role in the nation’s transportation network and economy.
