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:

- 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