Mamta’s Rolling Rail Budget – Indian Railway Budget 2009

Union Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee has created a record of sorts in the just released railway budget by announcing a string of popular schemes that are expected to go down well with the ‘Aam Janatha’, the middle class working sections of India. She has managed go one up on her predecessor Lalu Prasad Yadav by announcing a lot of schemes for the poor and the underprivileged. The range of benefits includes low fares to ultra modern train stations and trains. The budget was presented in the parliament in front of her predecessor Mr.Yadav who wasted no time in calling his successor’s policies fool hardy and not practical. However the Union Minister had her say and submitted the proposal amidst roars of approval from her party members and the ruling Congress-I.

The general theme of the budget indicated that it was a budget with many additions to the facilities of the train passengers with no increase in the prices at all. The budget is estimated to cost the exchequer Rs.40, 745 crore for the years 2009-10. She has promised in the budget, 57 new trains, extension of 27 trains and increase in the frequency of 13 trains. She also plans to build 50 ultra modern world class train stations all across the country, upgrading 375 existing stations and an additional 50 stations at important pilgrim centers. She has also outlined plans for a number of schemes that will benefit the women and youth of the country.

The other salient features in Mamta’s budget are Reduction in Tatkal charges, onboard availability of qualified doctors on long distance trains, introduction of high capacity AC double-decker trains, and computerized reservations at post offices, mobile ticketing services, and student concession to madrasa students. The railway minister has also proposed the deployment of women RPF personnel onboard trains for the safety of women passengers. The budget announcement seems to have created a nice impression among the general public, though some are skeptical as to whether the schemes will be practically implemented, given the wide gap between our politicians’ speeches and actions. However, at the moment it definitely looks like Mamta has lallooed our Lalu! How everyone wishes there are competitions like these between ministers to do more and more good to the public, if this continues then India will not only be shining, she will be rocking and rolling!

Rajiv Karran