Mangalore: The Railways have earmarked Rs 17,000 crore for various safety measures, Union Minister of State for Railways Basavanagoud Patil Yatnal said.

The amount will be spent in imparting safety training to the Railway employees apart from adopting safety measures, he told reporters on September 27.

The Railways is also contemplating to provide employment to family members of an employee who has attained the age of 55 years and has been given Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS), he said.

Gauge conversion work between Hassan and Mangalore will be taken up on a priority basis, he assured.

PTI