Backing the decision to outsource, Khurana, the chief guest at the ceremony, said outsourcing has been done to reduce manpower and boost cost restructuring.

Members of the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen-affiliated Inion Western Railway Mazdoor Sangh, meanwhile, are on a week-long protest over the Railway Ministry's decision of privatisation and outsourcing.

When asked about some railway divisions making losses, Khurana said, "There are pockets where certain lines are not making profit, but the trains have to run keeping in view the socio-economic factors and development of those areas."

Food Corporation of India's (FCI) Chairman and MD, Alok Sinha, who was also present at the ceremony, said, "This year, we will build 20 more godowns, especially in Jharkhand, the North East and Himachal Pradesh." Of the 1,426 godowns, 931 have been computerised, he said.