Rail Budget 2015: Improved facilities, safety, hygiene on passengers' wish list

New Delhi: Passengers across the country have been demanding improved facilities at higher fare ahead of the presentation of Rail Budget 2015-16 in the Parliament on Thursday. Among their wish lists are improved facilities, passengers' safety, hygiene in the railway compartments and strict adherence to train timings.

"The most important thing that should be looked into in the budget is the safety of passengers. Second, the trains are very dirty. The frequency of trains has certainly gone up but the timings are poor. Increase in fare is not a problem as long as the facilities are reciprocated," said Vikash Kumar, a passenger.

Aman Aggarwal, another passenger, said the government should increase the rail fare to upgrade the facilities. "The fare must be hiked to provide the facilities, something which has not been done for the past 20 years. If the fare is not increased, how will the improved facilities be provided?" said Aggarwal in Amritsar.

"The train timings are poor like always. The number of hours a train would take to cover a 20-hour-journey twenty years ago, it takes the same time to cover that distance even now. No improvement has been seen. Food is also not good," he added.

Safety measures for citizens, especially women, are also on top of the list. "Eve-teasing, staring is still very much there inside the trains. We feel very uncomfortable. Unnecessary touching and talking should not be there, so that every time we travel, we feel safe," said Heena Kausar, a passenger in Moradabad.