Our railway budgets aim development, not politics : PM

New Delhi, Nov 18 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that the focus of his governments railway budgets has never been politics, and that the government has worked towards a paradigm shift in the functioning of the railways.

"The century has changed and so must the systems in our Indian Railways," the Prime Minister said while addressing the three-day 'Rail Vikas Shivir' at Surajkund near Delhi through video conferencing.

He said this is a technology-driven century, so innovation is essential, and therefore, the railways has to be about both 'gati' (speed) and 'pragati' (progress).

Modi stressed that the Indian Railways has to develop and be financially strong. He said this will benefit the country and particularly those working for the railways.

He added that his link with the railways is strong, and that is all the more reason why he wants to transform the railways.

The Indian Railways is organising the Vikas Shivir from November 18 to November 20 with a view to generate innovative yet practical ideas across critical areas of railway operations.

According to senior railway officials, this exercise is different from other railway conferences, as here not only external speakers are sharing their ideas but railway employees at all levels are also being encouraged to contribute to present new ideas and to be part of the decision-making process.