Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) chamber, Indian Industries Association (IIA), today welcomed the public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives mentioned in the Railway Budget presented by Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee in Parliament today.
IIA president Anil Gupta said the perceived need to initiate new PPP business models pertaining to the railway infrastructure, including multi-level parking complexes, should be welcomed.
“However, similar initiatives are required for improving condition of waiting halls at the railway stations,” he said.
Gupta further congratulated the minister for not increasing the freight/passenger fare, introduction of new trains and laying of new rail lines.
He, however, said the condition of railway sidings needed to be improved to facilitate fast clearance of rakes and to reduce material loss.
“With the expansion of the railway network, we hope that the trains would run on schedule,” Gupta added.
He rued although improvement in technology had been talked about in the budget speeches, the improvement at the ground level had not been witnessed as seen from the number of accidents taking place.
In a memorandum submitted to Banerjee earlier this month, IIA had given several suggestions to the railways to improve services.
IIA had suggested provision of internet broadband and mobile/laptop charging facilities in all the trains, but there was no mention of such basic facilities in the budget speech, he added.
“We are thankful for PPP initiative and certain passenger-friendly features in the budget, but it could have been more dynamic,” Gupta added.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mayawati flayed the budget saying it contained nothing for Uttar Pradesh.
She noted the people of UP were disappointed since the state had not been given any new train or railway project.
