Government considering setting up Railway University: Sadananda Gowda

New Delhi, July 9: With an aim of providing railway-oriented education, the government is considering setting up of a Railway University for both technical and non technical subjects.

Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda also spoke about the plans for skill development of the staff while presenting the Rail Budget for 2014-15 in the Lok Sabha.

"I am contemplating setting up of a Railway University for both technical and non technical subjects," Gowda said.

He said the Railways could tie up with technical institutions for introducing railway-oriented subject for graduation and skill development.

In the meantime, staff at the ground level will be sent for short duration courses of technical and non technical nature, involving locally available technical institutions.

The exposure for specialised areas like high-speed, heavy haul operations etc will be undertaken for all level of staff and officers at appropriate institutes in India and abroad, he said.

Gowda also spoke about plans to harness solar energy by utilising roof top spaces of Railway stations, Railway buildings and land through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

He added that Indian Railways will start using Bio-Diesel up to 5 percent of total fuel consumption in diesel locomotives.

"This will save precious foreign exchange substantially," Gowda said.

PTI