It has been dubbed a populist budget by critics but the rail budget presented Friday by Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee has enough goodies targeted at the ordinary rail traveller:
- No increase in fares
- New 'izzat' scheme for poor to travel up to 100 km for Rs.25
- Low-cost, air-conditioned 'yuva trains' for youth at Rs.299-Rs.399
- New scheme for good quality food at affordable prices
- Special Trains to ferry perishable farm produce, rural craft
- Promise of clean toilets, potable water at stations, trains
- Tatkal scheme made more passenger-friendly, service charge cut to Rs.100
- New scheme for poor passengers to travel with 'dignity'
- A doctor at your service in every long-distance train
- 50 stations to be upgraded into world class facilities
- 12 new non-stop trains between key stations