Railway Budget 2009-10: Mamata keeps fares, freight rates unchanged; ups allocation
03 Jul 2009
The Railway Budget 2009-10, presented in Parliament by railway minister Mamata Banerjee today has kept passenger fares for all categories as also freight rates unchanged, in view of the current reversionary trend and to relieve the common man of an additional burden.
She, however, presented a deficit budget, envisaging a total outlay of Rs40,745 crore for 2009-2010, which is more than Rs2,840 crore from the allocation proposed in the interim railway budget.
The Railways will introduce 57 new train services in 2009-10, increase the frequency of 13 train services and extend 27 services.
The Railways, Mamata said, has targeted construction of 250 km of new lines in 2009-10.
The railway minister said her ministry proposes to process 53 new rail connectivity proposals in 2009-10 besides the above new, in order to continue the pace of creation of infrastructure.
Mamata also announced the introduction of special trains for perishable farm produce as also facilities for transportation of rural craft.