Railway Budget evokes mixed response

Focus on modernisation hailed; protest against neglect of Kerala

July 09, 2014 11:26 am | Updated April 22, 2016 12:36 am IST - Kozhikode:

Socialist Yuva Janata activists staging a protest in front of the Kozhikode railwaystation on Tuesday. Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup

Socialist Yuva Janata activists staging a protest in front of the Kozhikode railwaystation on Tuesday. Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup

The Railway Budget has evoked mixed response from different organisations.

“The Budget has been conceived with a long-term vision. It will help Railways wriggle out of the current financial crisis,” said P.T.S. Unni, president, Calicut Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He said facilities of Railways would improve with foreign direct investment (FDI) and Public-Private-Participation. The proposal to provide safety, security, and hygiene was refreshing. Setting up a railway university and research centre was of significance. Allocating a substantial amount for railway expansion every year would help improve infrastructure and services, Mr. Unni said.

The Confederation of All India Rail Users’ Associations has also welcomed the maiden Budget presented by the Narendra Modi government. “However, it has utterly disappointed the State,” said A.V. Anoop, chairman, and C.E. Chakkunny, general convener, of the association.

They hailed the focus of the Budget on security, hygiene, infrastructure, completing projects in a time-bound manner, punctuality of trains, and on improving amenities at railway stations. He suggested that MPs, irrespective of political affiliations, and senior BJP leaders from the State should meet the Prime Minister and Union Railway Minister to secure more benefits for Kerala.

Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi State president T. Naseeruddin termed the Budget disheartening and with no advantage. There were no proposals on the Tirur-Guruvayur railway line and starting new trains to Mysore.

Meanwhile, activists of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Socialist Yuva Janata took out a march to the Kozhikode railway station in protest against the neglect of the Budget towards the State.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.