New Delhi: Railways minister Laloo Prasad Yadav took charge of his ministry yesterday and said that there will be no hike in rail fares.He also promised punctuality in the running of trains and a corruption-free railways.

"All accidents will be thoroughly investigated and responsibility fixed. Adequate modernisation measures will also be taken for upgrading the railways," he said.
Prasad said new projects would be undertaken only after the projects sanctioned under the regime of his predecessors had been completed.

He said fare for lower classes would not be increased and the rates kept at affordable level. He said free railway passes would be provided to freedom fighters, media persons and senior citizens. The minister said the use of plastic cups would be banned in favour of earthen cups — kulhars — as they are bio-degradable.

Prasad also promised to root out corruption and stop the contract mafia from eating into the railways'' revenue. He said remote areas would be connected by rail links.

He said he would invite suggestions from all the Members of Parliament about the kind of projects that needed to be initiated in their constituencies and the status of old projects.

He assured that the suggestions would be incorporated in the next Rail Budget.