Dinesh Trivedi's Rail Budget fails to charm common man

14 March, 2012

In his maiden rail budget, Trinamool Congress leader and Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi became the first minister in 10 years to hike passenger fares across all classes. He announced to start Guru Parikarma special trains to cover Sikh pilgrimage centres of Amritsar, Patna and Nanded. But is it a common man's budget, as claimed by the minister, let us find out.

WHOLE OF the country’s attention was focussed on railway minister Dinesh Trivedi as he presented his maiden Rail budget in parliament today. Though he lacked the charisma of Lalu Prasad but a poetic Trivedi kept grabbing attention as he, at the start of the presentation said that the budget is aimed at common man. The passenger fares have been increased for the first time in ten years – a clear indication of how common man –oriented budget, it turned out to be.

In the Rail Budget 2012-13, railway minister announced an overall increase in passengers fare from 2 paise/km to 30 paise/km. He hiked 2 paise/km on suburban and ordinary second class trains, 5 paise/km in sleeper class fares, 10 paisa per km for AC third class, 15 paisa per km for AC second class and 30 paisa per km on AC first class. Platform ticket prices have also been hiked from current Rs 3 to Rs 5.

In his Budget speech, Trivedi said there is a proposal for 75 new express trains and 21 passenger trains and one special coach in each express train for differently-abled persons. He also announced 2,500 coaches to be equipped with green toilets in pilot projects and proposal to upgrade 929 stations across the country. He announced to start Guru Parikarma special trains to cover Sikh pilgrimage centres of Amritsar, Patna and Nanded.

Railway minister also said there is a proposal to recruit over one lakh people in Railways. He also added GRP/RPF personnel deployed on 3,500 trains, for the safety. On the issue of cleanliness, Trivedi said special housekeeping body would be responsible for cleanliness on trains, stations and improvements to railway stations can provide employment to 50, 000 people.

In his maiden Budget speech, Trivedi announced projects to connect Agartala to Bangladesh and new line planned to Nepal from Bilaspur. He also added a dedicated freight corridor from Ludhiana to Dankuni and Dadri to JN Port and set up of Rail coach factory at Palakkad with support from the Kerala government. He proposed to establish a plant of traction for high horse power to be set up in Vidisha.

Railway Minister in his Budget speech also announced to 50% concession to patients suffering from Anaemia, sickle cell Anaemia diseases, in AC coaches and Arjuna awardees to get concession on travel in Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains. He announced for new Rail Khel Ratna awards for 10 sportspersons every year.

He also said that there is target of 800 km gauge conversion for next year with fund allocation of Rs 1,950 crore, 700 km of double tracking in 2013 and 6500 kms of rail line to be electrified. He also said that Rs 6,872 crore have been allotted for 85 new line projects. He also said during the fiscal year 2012-13, number of passengers expected to increase by 5.4%.