Interim railway budget may go soft on passengers

The interim budget for Railways which will be tabled in Parliament on Wednesday may have some passenger-friendly measures besides introduction of new trains. A soft budget is being expected from Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge in view of the upcoming polls.

Though Railways is facing an economic crisis following a reduction in both freight and passenger earnings as it could not attract investments too. The avenue of earnings from hike in passenger fares has already been opened by the formation of Rail Tariff Authority. 

However, any revision in upward direction is certainly to wait till elections are over.

According to sources, introduction of 20 premier trains on dynamic fare basis may be included.  Few other trains would be also announced considering pressure from MPs and political leaders. 

Kharge may oblige his political masters in the ruling party. The projects in VIP areas may get liberal allocations and expeditious work on coaching complex for maintenance facility at Gulbarga may find a mention, sources claim.

Railways sources claim that safety measures against accidents including fire accidents may be announced. The ministry has been working on indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) and also on  fire retardant in coaches. The interim budget may allocate some funds for these projects.