Twitter
Advertisement

Railway budget favours Maharashtra, says Prithviraj Chavan

'The railway budget gave topmost priority to welfare of the common man as promised in the UPA government's agenda,' Chavan said.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan today said the railway budget has favoured the state with announcement of new Duranto trains, Shatabdi Expresses, 47 more services of suburban local trains and the proposal to convert nine-coach local trains into 12-coach trains.

"The railway budget gave topmost priority to welfare of the common man as promised in the UPA government's agenda," Chavan said.

There was no fare-hike. Besides, there was announcement of housing scheme for people living by the railway tracks, which will benefit many in Mumbai, Chavan pointed out.

Twenty railway stations, including Mumbai and Pune, would be revamped, Chavan said.

Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar appreciated the railway budget for not hiking fare.

"The announcement of trains linking Nagpur-Kolhapur, Pune-Nanded, Nagpur-Bhusawal, Mumbai-Sawantwadi and Mumbai-Manmad was significant...it would strengthen the rail network in the state," Pawar added. 

Home minister RR Patil, who is also the guardian minister of naxal-infested Gadchiroli district, was happy at announcement of Vadasa-Gadchiroli train.

"It is the first time that the Gadchiroli would reflect on the railway map of the country. I hope that the train would be extended up to Charmusha and Mul," Patil said.

Terming the budget as inclusive, public works department minister Chhagan Bhujbal said it gave priority to common man.

"It was inclusive budget with no railway fare-hike, concessions to physically challenged, special provisions for youth and poor," Bhujbal said.

However, Shiv Sena group leader in assembly, Subhash Desai, said railway minister Mamata Banerjee could not make use of increased revenue in the budget.

"The revenue of the raiways was Rs1.6 lakh crore while the budget presented was of Rs74,000 crore only. Despite the surplus amount, it is difficult to understand why 25 delayed rail projects in Maharashtra were not given funds," Desai said.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement