The interim railway budget announced on Friday by railway minister Laloo Prasad Yadav has received a mixed reaction from the chambers and the corporate houses here. Though all the organisations have welcomed the reduction in train fares, the minister has not paid attention to a few things, according to them, which the railway ministry should probe into.
While appreciating the rail minister?s initiative, Anupam Shah, president of the Merchants Chamber of Commerce, said the budget should consider provisions of relief in freight rates in the eastern sector which is the new steel hub of the country. ?Since so many accidents have plagued the rail service, the budget should have spoken about the upgradation of tracks, signalling system and unmanned crossings,? he said.
Bharat Chamber of Commerce president Pavan Poddar has also raised the question on the non-reduction of freight rates despite a reduction in the fuel cost.
Bengal National Chamber of Commerce president Sandip Sen has expressed concern on hygiene, safety and security measures the ministry is expected to undertake.
?The proposed outlay of Rs 2,30,000 crore in the 11th five-year-plan will be a major boost to industries involved in serving the railways. However, the proposed takeover of certain sick wagon units by the ministry is a retrograde step and a disincentive to operational efficiency through competition,” said Ramesh Maheshwari, CEO and president of Texmaco Ltd.