There has been a mixed reaction to the Railway Budget by Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu here on Thursday.
Venkatesh Kini, president of Mookambika Railway Yatri Sangha, Byndoor, said that it was a “realistic budget” presented by Mr. Prabhu. For the first time in a long time, the Union Railway Minister had presented a budget that reflected the actual conditions. Not announcing any new train was also a departure from the past.
Mr. Prabhu had concentrated more on providing safety in the trains. The installation of CCTVs in the ladies compartments of select trains was a welcome move. “The budget has a positive outlook. But the government should give a free hand to the Minister to improve the Ministry,” he said.
But R.L. Dias, president of Udupi Railway Yatri Sangha, criticised the railway budget and said that it was “thoroughly disappointing” especially from the view of the coastal districts. The long-pending demand for a Mangaluru Division had not been met in the budget.
There was not a word on survey for Nandikur-Mudigere line or completion of Nelamangala-Kunigal line, which would reduce the distance from Bengaluru to Mangaluru by two hours. The extension of period for advanced booking to 120 days made no sense. The tracks in the country required immediate improvement, Mr. Dias said.
