The Hindu Business Line : Rail Budget

This is with reference to "Rail Budget leaves freight rates unchanged — Laloo refrains from hiking passenger fares" (Business Line, July 7). The Railway Minister, Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav, has presented a "safe" Rail Budget. However, it indicates a willingness by the Minister to continue with the status quo rather than push the Railways towards the growth path.

Though the passenger fares have not been changed, no big infrastructure projects, which could have been a drain on the resources, have been announced. Clearly, Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav has chosen to play the populist card, especially with Assembly elections coming up in Bihar. However, one feels that it would have been better if the Minister had increased the passenger fares by 5-7 per cent and used the money to create better infrastructure for the Railways.

With accidents becoming frequent, more money should have been spent to make travelling safer. This will not only increase passenger confidence but also make the Railways the most preferred mode of transport.

Deepak. K

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