Indian Railways to set up four universities in India over five years: Railway minister

MANGALORE: Hunt for trained manpower in all aspects of function of Indian Railways will manifest itself through railway universities to be set up in all four corners of India. While the maiden railway budget that Union railway minister D V Sadananda Gowda presented, spoke of one such Railway University, the minister has plans to set up one such university in our parts of India in a phased manner over the next five years.

With an employee strength of 13.5-lakhs, Indian railways spends huge amount on re-orienting manpower it absorbs to suit the needs of the national transporter. Even members of the railway board, who are technical experts in their respective areas, pitch for more funds for their project and somewhere the vision of integrated development of railways is lost, Gowda said at a meet the press programme organised by DKWJA here on Saturday.

With this in mind, the railway ministry post the presentation of the railway budget has approached ministry of human resources development seeking guidelines for establishment of a dedicated railway university, Gowda said, adding the idea for such an institution came from none other than 'Metro Man' E Sreedharan. Graduates coming out of railway universities will have assurance of getting absorbed in to the system as all-rounders, he said.

"We are looking at need for changes in law, if need be, to set up this university," he said, adding syllabus, style of functioning are other areas are also being looked in to. At present, Railways has a training institute in Baroda, Gowda said, adding all angles are being explored to put proposed Railway University on track. "We should have a full view on the issue by December and roll out the university from start of an academic year," he added.

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