Sanjay Kirloskar, Chairman, CII Western Region , said this year’s Railway Budget is passenger-centric as it seeks to retain fares at current levels and improve service offerings. It seeks to enhance the level of digitisation in various operational areas of the railway, be it increasing the capacity of e-ticketing system, extension of e-catering services, bringing major stations under CCTV surveillance, introducing GPS-based digital display in coaches or making available Wi-Fi at 100 stations this year. Emphasis on the cleanliness and hygiene aspect is a welcome move. The capex for 2016-17 pegged at ₹1.21 lakh crore will not only bolster railway infrastructure but also generate substantial employment.

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