New Delhi, May 8 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the railways was replete with potential for a positive impact on the lives of the people in the country.

Chairing a high-level meeting on the connectivity-related sectors of infrastructure, Modi placed high priority on the progress of the railways sector that, he said, "had the maximum potential to positively impact the lives of the people in the country.

He said there is global interest in the sector, and directed that all efforts be made to translate the positive policy interventions and global interest to the benefit of the people.

In his address, Modi also stressed that top priority should be given to the areas of railway station development, gauge conversion, electrification and doubling of railway tracks.

Making inquries about the status of the Patna and Munger railway bridges in Bihar, Modi also took stock of the progress on issues such as skill development in the sector and dedicated universities for the sector.

According to an official communique, the prime minister also reviewed the roads sector, saying that road-links between India and Nepal should be repaired on priority.

Modi also re-emphasized the importance of port-led development and island development in his review of the shipping sector.

The meeting was attened by union ministers holding infrastructure-related portfolios including Surface Transport and Roads Minister Nitin Gadkari, Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu and Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju. Senior officers from NITI Aayog, various infrastructure ministries and the Prime Minister's Office were also present.