The Minister of Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu while presenting the Railway Budget 2016-17 in Parliament today said that he was proud to lead a work force that is sincere and dedicated. He added that it is his constant endeavour to improve their working conditions so that they continue to serve the organization with devotion. The Railway Minister said that Indian Railways will tie up with the Ministry of Health for ensuring an exchange between Railways hospitals and Government hospitals. Indian Railways will introduce ‘AYUSH’ systems in 5 Railway hospitals.

Railway Minister announced that all our gang men will be provided with devices called ‘Rakshak’ which would be wireless enabled and will intimate them about approaching trains. Indian Railways will also reduce the weight of the tools carried by them while patrolling on foot through value engineering. Indian Railways will also provide toilets and air-conditioning in cabs for our loco pilots.

Shri Prabhu also announced setting up two chairs – one C T Venugopal chair on Strategic Finance, research and policy development and another Kalpana Chawla chair on geo-spatial technology for Indian Railways for promoting research in key policy areas.

Railway Minister announced that for youth bubbling with ideas and energy, Indian Railways will open up the organisation to 100 students across Engineering and MBA schools for 2-6 months’ internships each year.

Shri Suresh Prabhu said that in partnership with the Ministry of Skill Development, Indian Railways will work on massive skill development on our premises. Railway Workshops and Production Units will develop ‘Centres of Excellence for Skill Development’, focusing on one/two specialized activities for the general public. Indian Railways will also join hands with prominent NGOs to provide skilling to people in remote areas including wards of Railways employees.

Integration of AYUSH in railway hospitals expands healthcare access while worker safety tech and skill development are enhanced. Introduction of AYUSH systems in five railway hospitals will expand healthcare modalities and exchange with government hospitals; worker safety measures include provision of wireless-enabled 'Rakshak' devices to gang men, reduction of patrolling tool weight through value engineering, and improved cab amenities. Research and training measures set up two chairs for policy and technology research, offer internships to engineering and management students, and establish Centres of Excellence for Skill Development in workshops and production units, with NGO partnerships to extend skilling to remote areas and employee wards.