New Delhi, Jun 23 (PTI) Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today left for a visit to five European countries as part of his mission to make Indian Railway No. 1 in the world.
He, along with his team of senior officials, will study the technological advancement of the European Railway and the latest in passenger amenities during the trip, lasting atmost two weeks.
This is Mr Prasad’s first foreign trip as Railway Minister. He has first flown to London, from where he will go to Paris on July 26, then to Vienna on June 29.
The Railway Minister will also visit the German cities of Munich and Hanover after Vienna and fly back home from Frankfurt on July 8.
This will be a sort of ’touch and feel’ visit during which the minister will personally experience the working of the European Railway so as to improve the Indian railways benefiting from the experience. He would familiarise himself with the latest development in enhancing railwy efficiency, safety and passenger amenities, a Railway official said.
The Railway Minister will sign an MoU in Italy on technical know-how. Besides he will attend various seminars and workshops there and other countries.
Mr Prasad, who is credited with bringing about a turnaround in the Railway’s fortune, will focus on how to tap the potential of the Railways for development of the country.