Rail Budget 2013-14 to benefit Rae Bareli most; yet another fare hike likely
21 Feb 2013
Congress president Sonia Gandhi's constituency Rae Bareli will benefit the most in the upcoming Railway budget, which is also expected to introduce about 100 new trains, including AC double-deckers, new passenger services and extension of services.
Indian Railways, which raised passenger fares twice this fiscal, is expected to announce further hikes in both freights and fares in the new budget, to be unveiled on 26 February.
With the next parliamentary elections in sight, sources in the ministry of railways said there was something special for the VVIP constituency (Rae Bareli) in the new budget. They also mentioned plans for a rail training institute there.
Rae Bareli is also the destination for a rail coach factory announced in the last Rail Budget before the assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh.
Railway minister Pawan Kumar Bansal is of the view that a hike in fares and freight rates is inevitable in order to put the cash-strapped Railways back on track.
Yet, Indian Railway will focus on providing more amenities to passengers in the Rail Budget this year.
