Will request Sreedharan to be part of expert team: Gowda

On privatisation of railways and resource mobilisation, he said it was quite premature to answer about it, at this juncture. “Certainly we need more resource mobilisations. On how to get it, I will consult experts.”

To a question on creating a separate zone for Seemandhra, he said “if we feel that it is needed for the development and interest of that state, we will look in to it.”

On the issue of fare hike, Gowda said, “I need at least 15 days time. I feel that now people are prepared to pay given that they are provided with good service.”

The Minister said his predecessor Mallikarjuna Kharge had put a burden on him by announcing an increase of 10 per cent hike in railway tariff and 5 per cent hike on freight and not implementing them.