Safety will be main focus, says new railway board chairman Ashwani Lohani

Air India Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani, on 24 August assumed the charge of Railways Board Chairman, saying that their main focus will be on safety, cleanliness and to improve the condition of stations.

Speaking to media from his newly acquainted office, Ashwani Lohani said, "we will also work to end corruption and V.I.P culture that persists here."

Calling Indian Railway the 'lifeline of India', Lohani said, "Indian Railways has a lot of strengths and we will move forward by taking those strengths."

Ashwani Lohani also said that taking charge of the Indian railways is an emotional moment and he is feeling good that the Government considered him capable enough for the post.

"There are a lot of expectations from us and the Indian Railways. We will work hard and try to improve as much as possible," the newly appointed Railways Board Chairman said.

Lohani was appointed as Railways Board Chairman, soon after A.K. Mittal stepped down from the post.

Mittal took this drastic step after Uttar Pradesh witnessed two train derailments within five days; where 10 coaches of Kaifiyat Express heading towards Delhi derailed after colliding with a dumper near Auraiya district and over 20 people have been injured.

Also on August 19, more than 20 died and 200 were injured after 13 coaches of the Puri-Haridwar Utkal Express ran off the tracks in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district. 

-ANI