Harnaut (Bihar): Extolling the Indian Railways as the most profound symbol of national integrity, President A P J Abdul Kalam on May 30 said the railways were playing a major role in inter-mingling of different societies and cultures.

With 14,000 trains every day carrying over 40 million people, the railways are the most visible symbol of national unity and integrity, Kalam said after laying the foundation stone for the rail coach maintenance workshop at Harnaut in the Barh Parliamentary constituency of Railway Minister Nitish Kumar.

Kalam lauded the railways for adopting advanced technology for better safety and reliability.

Addressing the gathering, Railway Minister Nitish Kumar announced that his ministry, apart from giving adequate compensation to the families displaced by the setting up of the workshop, would provide employment to at least one member of the affected families.

Kumar dismissed as malicious the charge of giving preference to Bihar over other states in giving railway projects saying, "I am giving to my state which was its due."

Chief Minister Rabri Devi thanked Kumar for his role in bringing the project to Bihar, which would give employment to over 1,000 people and Kalam for laying the foundation stone.

Later, Kalam left Harnaut for the state capital in his presidential train, which was on the tracks after nearly 26 years and dedicated to the nation 92 km-long Patna-Gaya electrified route by flagging off a mainline electrical multiple unit (MEMU) train at the Patna junction.

PTI