COMMENT: Vishwas Udgirkar
Given the impressive financial and operational performance of the Indian Railways over the past few years and the backdrop of the current economic slowdown, the first Railway Budget of the UPA-II government was expected to be a formidable task. However, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee seems to have risen to the occasion by striking a delicate balance between the social and economic focus of the Indian Railways. While the earlier minister's focus was more on financial performance of the organisation, this Budget has given a larger emphasis on improvement of passenger service.
As promised, Banerjee announced a number of measures to provide a more “human face” to the Indian Railways. The priority on passenger amenities included ensuring availability of janta khana, environment-friendly toilets, special bogies for the aged and handicapped, convenient ticketing services from post offices, etc. At the same time, besides introduction of the izzat scheme for low-income monthly travel and reduction in the tatkal scheme, there was no change either in freight rates or in passenger fares.
Banerjee also announced the introduction of new trains and facilities such as 12 new non-stop AC sleeper turant trains, AC yuva trains, super-fast parcel express trains on a pilot basis, ladies special trains and double-decker coaches for inter-city commuters.
Vishwas Udgirkar, Executive Director - Government Regulatory and Infrastructure Practice, PricewaterhouseCoopers
