Railway Budget 2009-10 a bonaza for people

The Railway Budget 2009-10, presented by the Union Minister for Railways, Mamta Banerjee in the Lok Sabha today, is both populist and popular and at the same time a bonanza for the rail users of all hues. There is no increase in passenger fare and freight rate, which bodes well for the national economy given its current downturn. In a typical of Mamta Banerjee’s stance for the poor, she announced that Railways will expand to cover all corners of the country in keeping with the professed policy of the UPA Government for inclusive growth and prosperity of our people.

Kerala to get eight new trains, two world class stations

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Kerala got a fair share of the budgetary proposals of Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee tabled in parliament Friday.

Railway Board chief sees tougher days ahead

NEW DELHI - The slowdown and an outgo of Rs.14,600 crore to pay arrears will make the going more difficult for the Railways this fiscal, a senior official said here Friday.

What is there for the common man in the rail budget

NEW DELHI - 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:

Passengers thrilled with world class station proposal, want deadline

LUCKNOW - With five stations in the state slated to be upgraded to global standards in Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee’s budget Friday, people in Uttar Pradesh are delighted but want a deadline to be set for the job.

West Bengal wagon makers rejoice over rail budget

KOLKATA - Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee’s pledge that her ministry will buy 18,000 wagons in 2009-10 has excited West Bengal’s wagon makers Friday.

Mamata’s rail budget makes common man smile

NEW DELHI - The man on the street appeared happy with Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee Friday and also a trifle relieved that she had not announced a fare hike in her rail budget.

Banerjee silent on private players running tourist trains

CHENNAI - Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee’s budget proposals presented in the Lok Sabha Friday did not include private sector participation in running of passenger trains on tourist routes, as suggested by the Economic Survey 2008-09.

Trinamool workers cheer Mamatas railway budget

KOLKATA - “Its a budget for maa, mati, manush (mother, motherland and people),” is how a jubliant Trinamool Congress worker described party chief and Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee’s rail budget presented Friday. Trinamool workers in West Bengal cheered the budget and said it will lead the party to victory in the next assembly polls.

India Inc welcomes ‘forward looking’ rail budget

NEW DELHI - Terming the railway budget for 2009-10 as “progressive and forward looking”, a “pleased” India Inc Friday welcomed Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee’s proposals to undertake developmental and capacity expansion projects without touching the fares.

Left parties divided on rail budget, BJP guarded

NEW DELHI - The Left parties were divided in their reaction to the railway budget unveiled by their bete noire Mamata Banerjee here Friday, with the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) welcoming parts of it and the Communist Party of India (CPI) slamming it. The main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called the budget impractical.

Mamata starts non-stop, long-distance trains

NEW DELHI - Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee introduced non-stop train services between major cities as she unveiled her 2009-10 budget proposals in parliament Friday.

Mamata’s rail budget disappoints Mumbaikars

MUMBAI - Many Mumbaikars Wednesday said they felt let down by Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee’s 2009-10 budget as she made no mention of this financial capital’s lifeline - the suburban trains.

Train travel just got better for women, youth

NEW DELHI - Rail travel in India just got more attractive for Gen-X and women. The easy on the pocket special trains Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee announced in her budget speech have been cheered by youth and women.