Mamata Banerjee’s railway budget for 2009-10 appeals to the common man. She has introduced cheaper tickets for the poor and kept passenger and freight tariffs unchanged, bringing cheer to the millions who use the world’s largest rail network daily.
Banerjee, who took over as the new railway minister, underscores the Congress party-led government’s focus on “inclusive growth” after it was re-elected in May.
In her budget speech on Friday, she said there were plans to introduce 57 new and 12 non-stop trains, upgrade 50 stations to international standards, have air-conditioned double-decker trains, build a 1,000 mw power plant to power electric locomotives, and resume issuance of tax-free IRFC bonds.
The country’s rail network carries more than 18 million passengers and more than 2 million tonnes of freight every day on a backbone of outdated technology. Do you think the railways can execute this daunting task and make train travel in India more comfortable?
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6 comments so far
The new pass for the poor — Rs 25 for 100 km … down from Rs 100 for 10 km.. is really a welcome move.. Should benefit many many people across the country!
It is easy route from mamta to say that she could not get time. However there are several things which needed immediate attention:
(A) Food quality served by IRCTC mostly controlled by a contractor from bhihar R.K. has taken total control and not following any norms thing as shown on irctc site
(B) Central part of India (MP in particular) is ignored with regards to new trains facilites. This imbalance will be fatal in future
(C) Tatkal initiatives are really good one and are welcome step. But some arrange must be done to agent away from this.
Food service of IRCTC is very poor quality and on regular basis they are incresing their charges.
It should be crontrol by Railway Ministry directly instead of handover to the contractor or proper checking should be done by railway authority on regular basis.
1. Food quality of pantry car is deteriorate day by day.
2. Bed roll of 2nd AC & 3rd AC are often supplied pre-used material without properly cleaned & Pressed.
3. Rats, Cockroach, mosquitoes are available in AC boggy of most of the train.
4. Without valid reservation passengers are creating disturbance even at night hours in AC coach. No TTE & RPF takes action after complaint from scheduled passengers.
5. In this electronics age sufficient Electrical plague Point is required in AC coach for Mobile, Laptop etc.
The Biggest Punishment for a genuine traveller is to travel from Mumbai to Chennai in Train. It takes 24 Hours to traverse a distance of 1200 KM. No improvements in this route has been made in the Budget. Why such an important route is left to wretch is not Known???
budjet is good if implemented fairly all over within short span of time