Lalu Prasad Yadav criticizes PM Modi for decision to invest Rs 1 lakh crore in bullet train project

By Sanjay Singh

PATNA: Rashtriya Janata Dal boss and former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is also former minister for railways, has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for decision to invest one lakh crores in bullet train project.

In a letter to PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday, Lalu mentioned PM Modi should explain the rationality of investing approx. one lakh crores in a single project like Bullet train in a nation where millions of people die due to poverty, illness, malnutrition and defecate in open. “On the other hand, budget allocations are being reduced from major sectors like agriculture, health and education. Thus, there lies a danger of poor farmers being ignored at the cost of this project,” Lalu wrote. He has tweeted the letter.

“I write this letter to you with deep sense of concern and anguish about the fast deteriorating financial health of railways. It is ironical that railways have decided to ride on a white elephant like a bullet train at a time when it is facing its worst ever existential crisis,” Lalu further mentioned.

Lalu communicated to Modi that Railways’ ageing infrastructure, which is as critical for the poor as it is for the economy, desperately requires replacement and renewal, modernization and technological up-gradation. “Sam Pitroda Committee had suggested that all A, B and D special routes should be upgraded and made fit for heavier freight trains of 25 tonne axel load and passenger speeds of 160/200 kmph. Automatic block signalling, on-board train protection system with cab signalling and GSM based mobile train control communication system should be implemented on all A & B routes,” Lalu further wrote.

According to Lalu, it is not a mere co-incidence that USA does not have a bullet train. “The reason is simple and straight forward: in the fiercely competitive market they get beaten down by hollow by low cost airlines,” he mentioned.