Minister: We can learn from India's railways system

TRAIN bosses should learn from INDIA how to clean up Britain's dirty and unsafe railways, says a senior minister.

Environment J Secretary David Miliband (left), wants rail firms to follow the example of Mumbai, where a multi-million-pound scheme has transformed the city's stations.

On a visit to India last month Mr Miliband - tipped as a future Prime Minister - was "hugely impressed" by the improvements, and said many of the ideas could be used to tackle the graffiti, litter and crime plaguing Britain's network.

However, he failed to add that India's trains are best known for severe overcrowding that forces passengers to ride on the roof or cling to the sides - an alarming vision for British commuters already struggling to get a seat.

A two-year project using volunteer labour has transformed Mumbai's stations, which are used by eight million people a day.

A Whitehall source said: "David was hugely impressed by what he saw in Mumbai. Thousands of people get off the trains every minute and the stations used to be filthy. He believes there are lessons we can learn from their clean-up." The Indian example is in stark contrast with Britain, where stations were slammed by MPs last year. Though trains are vastly improved, far too many stations are "threatening, with poorly-lit, graffiti-covered passages and platforms", said the Public Accounts Committee.

WHAT INDIA IS DOING

BOLLYWOOD star s urge people to keep stations clean

VOLUNTEERS dish out badges saying: "I Clean, You Clean, We Clean"

A HUGE clean-up of stations and the installation of bins

NEW information and helpdesks to combat rubbish and crime

vincent.moss@mgn.co.uk

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