Patna: The Railway minister, Laloo Prasad Yadav, today (June 7, 2004) inspected railway stations in Patna, Ara and Buxar and directed officials to maintain punctuality of train movement "strictly" and cleanliness at the stations.

Before boarding the special train on way back to New Delhi after his two-day stay in Bihar, Yadav directed the officials to locate the reasons for late running of trains on a priority basis and see that the trains run in accordance with the railway time-table, rail sources said.

The minister also instructed the officials to pay extra attention towards maintenance of cleanliness at the stations.

A large crowd had gathered at the Patna junction to see off Yadav.

Later, on way to New Delhi, the minister stopped at Ara and Buxar stations and had a close look at the platforms.

The rail minister had visited Chapra from New Delhi in his special train on Saturday and had also inspected several stations like Siwan and Hajipur during the journey.