MPs seek 7-star stay to inspect loss-making railways

CHANDIGARH: While Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal is asking officials to take austerity measures to revive the Railway, which is running in losses, the parliamentary inspection team visiting the railway station preferred a seven-star property, Sukhvilas, in Mullanpur instead of staying at the VIP guest house located at the Chandigarh railway station.

Sudip Bandhyopadhyay, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on railways, and other members at Chandigarh railway station on Monday. Tribune photo: Nitin Mittal

Mohit Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 21

While Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal is asking officials to take austerity measures to revive the Railway, which is running in losses, the parliamentary inspection team visiting the railway station preferred a seven-star property, Sukhvilas, in Mullanpur instead of staying at the VIP guest house located at the Chandigarh railway station.

The distance between the Chandigarh railway station and Sukhvilas is over 22 km.

The team, that reached the railway station in a saloon, a luxury coach to ferry railway officials and ministers, on Sunday, was straightaway taken to the seven-star property.

Escort vehicles were pressed into service to provide adequate security to the members of the committee, led by TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay.

Travel websites are showing over Rs 30,000 for a room in the luxurious property. The team was scheduled to arrive at the railway station at 11 am on Monday, but reached around 2.30 pm. Despite requests from BJP MLA Panchkula Gian Chand Gupta, the team did not visit the Panchkula side of the railway station. Nitin Choudhary, Chief Public Relations Officer of the Northern Railway, said, “We do have a stay facility at the Chandigarh railway station, but it is not adequate to accommodate so many officials and senior ministers. Huge paraphernalia is required for such meetings.”

“We do not have the Internet, photo-copying machines and other facilities at the guest house, which are required for smooth discussion on crucial issues,” said Choudhary.

He said the committee members were entitled to such a stay and all expenses were borne by the Railways. “Five-star or seven-star facilities do not mean the hotels are charging a hefty amount. We have a tendering process and negotiate the prices,” he said.