Passenger safety, public amenities, as well as network improvement and expansion are the highlights of the maiden Railway Budget presented by Suresh Prabhu, according to Prabodh Thakker, President of Indian Merchants’ Chamber (IMC).

Better efficiency

He stated that the Minister’s emphasis on technology as a key enabling factor to enhance the efficiency of the railway network, as well as thrust on environmental management, was a welcome step.

Thakker hailed the extension of rail connectivity to the relatively inaccessible North-East region of India, as well as introducing more high speed trains in nine key corridors.

Mumbai disappointment

However, Thakker noted in a statement, that nothing was done for Mumbai’s suburban system.

The Railways is a lifeline for the residents of Mumbai. Spread over 465 kilometres, the suburban railway operates 2,342 train services and carries more than 7.5 million commuters daily. By annual ridership at 2.64 billion, the Mumbai suburban railway is the busiest rapid transit system in the world.

Earlier, in its pre-budget representation and detailing Mumbai-specific issues, the IMC had said that it was time to utilise the Railways’ unused infrastructure at the 8,000 stations across the country to impart skill development training to unemployed youth, particularly in rural and inaccessible regions.

Tourism link

Further, stating that tourism is becoming an increasingly important source of public revenue, the IMC noted that the Railways could capitalise on this by offering foreign tourists cost-effective and innovative sightseeing options.

It was pointed out that not only is India one of the world’s oldest tourism destinations, it also has the world’s second largest railway system under a single management.

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