Published On : Thu, Feb 25th, 2016

Rail Budget is in Public interest : J. P. Sharma

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J P SharmaNagpur: J. P. Sharma, president of Vidarbha Taxpayers Association (VTA) appreciated the rail budget as he said the budget has been meticulously planned taking into consideration common man, commuters’ needs, safety, senior citizens plus keeping total focus on cleanliness and better services.

Increasing speed of trains to 130 km/hr, introducing overnight double-decker trains on busy routes, connecting pilgrimage cities with more trains and simultaneously keeping work in progress of third track are few welcome steps.

Dedicated freight carrier routes will bring good revenue for railways and shall be beneficial for business houses too. Likewise fixing sub-quota of 33 percent in for women in each reserved category and 20,000 display screens across 2,000 stations for better dissemination of information to passengers are commuter friendly decisions.

In my view this rail budget is passenger friendly and being chartered accountant Suresh Prabhu has presented a well balanced rail budget 2016.

Special focus on senior citizens & safety appreciable : Tejinder Singh Renu

Tejinder Singh Renu - SPSTejinder Singh Renu, Secretary of Vidarbha Taxpayers Association (VTA) said that by announcing no change in passenger fares, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has definitely pleased rail commuters.

Likewise plan to beautify pilgrim stations, equipping 400 railway stations with 100 this year with wifi in partnership with Google, provision of baby milk and hot water is coaches are appreciable steps.

What touched me most is plan of new uniforms and training for porters, who will be called ‘Sahayaks’ instead of Coolies is fabulous. Facilities for senior citizens like increase in lower berth quota by 50 per cent and battery operated services for the old and special people are good steps.

Safety priorities asking Insurance companies to provide optional travel insurance to passengers prior to travel is good, however this position could be included in ticket fare. No unmanned level crossing by 2020 will definitely save many human life lost on such crossings in accidents.

Heartening to know that last year’s 139 budget announcements are already initiated, which proves budget is just not announcements, it is delivering too.