Passenger safety topmost priority: New Railway Board chief Ashwani Lohani

A day after AK Mittal resigned as the Chairman of the Railway Board, Ashwani Lohani has taken charge. And he has very clearly determined his agenda, in his opening remark. At a time when Railways is facing a trust deficit owing to spate of accidents, passenger safety will be key priority sais, Ashwani Lohani.

The railway ministry had yesterday appointed Lohani as the Chairman of Railway Board after A K Mital had tendered his resignation following two derailments within a span of five days killing over 20 people and injuring more than 200. "Safety will be our topmost focus, of course. Other top focus for Lohani will be cleanliness, improvement of stations, ending corruption and VIP culture. Lohani (58) said there were "lot of expectations" from the railways and the national carrier would work hard to improve itself.

He further said it was an "emotional moment" for him to take charge of the Railway Board. Being an officer of the railway mechanical service, the railways is the parent organisation for Lohani. He has earlier served as the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Delhi. Lohani said he "feels good" that the government has considered him "worthy" of this position. Underlining that the Railways are a very old organisation and lifeline for India, he said it has several strengths. "We will move forward on those strengths," he said.

As Lohani entered the Rail Bhawan, he bowed down to pay reverence to his parent organisation. He assumes charge at a time the safety aspect of the railways is under sharp focus after two back-to-back derailments. On August 19, 13 coaches of the Kalinga Utkal Express derailed in Khatauli, Uttar Pradesh, killing 22 passengers and injuring over 150. On August 23, at least 70 people were injured when the Kaifiyat Express derailed in Auraiya in Uttar Pradesh. Hailed as a turnaround specialist, Lohani, was serving as the CMD of now operationally profitable Air India.