(a) whether the Government are considering any proposal for ploughing back surplus revenue generated in each zonal railway into the same zone;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to make each zonal railway profitable centre?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI O. RAJAGOPAL)
(a) No, Sir.
(b) Does not arise.
(c) Funds are allotted to Zonal Railways on the
basis of approved Plan outlays for specific projects/schemes,
duly taking into account overall availability of resources and
developmental needs of the railway network as a whole.
Ploughing back surplus revenue generated in each Zonal Railway
into the same zone will aggravate imbalances in development of
the railway network.
(d) The performance of the Zonal Railways is dependant on
the traffic arising, geographical terrain and spread, on which
often little or no control is available with the Zonal
Railways.
The steps taken by Railways to improve profitability
include :-
i) measures to control expenditure by improving staff
productivity, asset utilization, inventory management, fuel
consumption, austerity in areas such as travel, publicity,
hospitality etc.
ii) for improving earnings, aggressive marketing with
improved freight services and commercial incentives.
iii) all out efforts to curb leakage of revenues and pilferages.