Railway Budget 2014: What Are The Best And Worst Announced?

BANGALORE: Presenting the maiden Railway Budget of the NDA government, Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda outlined different measures for improving passenger amenities and also proposed a roadmap for introduction of best services in the country’s railway.

There have been mixed reactions from all sections of the people. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Budget, the opposition went berserk attacking what it called the ‘pro-rich’ Budget.

As there are two sides of coins, likewise the railway budget too comes with some merits as well as D-merits. So, check out the two different sides of the railway budget as compiled by Yahoo.

The Merits-

No fare hike: Having already effected a steep hike, the railway budget for 2014-15 spared passengers of any fresh revision in fares and freight rates.

Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda while presenting the new government's first budget in Lok Sabha said he plans to leverage railway PSU resources by bringing in their investible funds in infrastructure projects.

The budget did not hike fares as the government had already affected a sharp hike prior to the budget previous month. According to the Ministry, the June revision of fares is likely to benefit the Railways with around 8, 000 crore.

Railway Gowda revealed there will be periodic revision in fares and further said “It will be linked to revisions in fuel prices in order to insulate the Railway revenues from fuel cost escalation."

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