Monday, April 10 2006 19:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Buoyed by Indian Railway's spectacular 'turnaround' last year during which it has generated an income of Rs 11,000 crore, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today (Apr 10, 2006) expressed confidence that the organisation would achieve a target of Rs 20,000 crore by the end of this year.

"It has been our tendency to increase passenger and freight fares to generate resources. We have taken this challenge and even earned Rs 11,000 crore without raising fares. I am fully confident that we will achieve the target of Rs 20,000 crore by the end of this year", he said.

Prasad was speaking at a function to launch the Railway week also attended by his deputy Naranji Bhai Rathwa, Chairman Railway Board J P Batra and other members of the Board.

Earlier, in the day Prasad flagged off a Steam Engine Run from SafdarJung Railway Station.

Dream to achieve Rs 20,000 crore revenue

He said the dream to achieve Rs 20,000 crore revenue would be possible once the dedicated freight corridor between Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata becomes operational.

Lauding the role of Railway men in the historical turnaround of Railways, the Minister, however, asked them not to be complacent.

He also dismissed reports about privatisation of Kapurthala Coach Factory and said no such steps would be taken without taking the railway men into confidence.

On the occasion, Prasad also distributed awards to about 300 railwaymen for their outstanding services to the organisation as also railway sportspersons who got two gold and six silver medals at the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games.