Expectations for the announcement of new trains and improvement in passenger amenities are running high as Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu is set to present his second budget for 2016-17 in Parliament on Thursday.
As passenger fares was not hiked in the last budget and railway finances have come under tremendous strain, the minister faces a dilemma whether to raise fares and freight rates.
Railways have earned over Rs.136,079 crore as against the target of Rs. 141,416 crore during April-January, a decline of 3.77 percent.
Indian Railways has started a new micro-site (http://www.railbudget2016.indianrailways.gov.in) for latest Railway Budget updates and live budget watch. It will be a one-stop shop for all Railway Budget related information.