New Delhi: No hike in passenger fares or freight tariffs! But hold your breath -- in the last budget too there were no hikes, but the suburban fares were increased in November 2015.
It’s a please-all Budget as he promised in his opening speech. He has spoken to all stakeholders before making the Budget, Prabhu said. But the sting will be in the implementation as this will show how these sections -- from passengers to businessmen and transporters -- will benefit.
He has filed up the tank, as it were, with so many promises and commitments that the key will be in the implementation.
There is, of course, not much on crucial issues like security and safety, though he is providing (very thoughtfully) optional insurance for passengers at the time of booking tickets. He is in talks with insurance companies for this.
This is a huge lacunae as 45 per cent of all accidents are due to derailment on the 65,000 –kilometre network of the Indian Railways -- the third largest network in the world, that carries 23 million people every day. This, a report pointed out, is the population of Australia.
On the issue of cleanliness and the recognition of Swacch Bharat etc, there is no assurance that rat-infested railway canteens will be freed from rats.
For passengers, there is the usual promise to bio toilets, cuisine to their tastes, LSD screens and even entertainment for which he has invited FM radio entities. What people want are trains arriving on time and he has promised 90 per cent against the current 83 per cent. This is important for people like milkmen and vendors who have to reach their destinations on time.
The financing sources of his promises are vague. One can raise funds through bonds and global help, but all this has to be paid back. Prabhu has announced 44 new projects worth Rs 92,000 crore. He has also upped capital expenditure by 20 per cent and expects gross traffic revenue to go up by 10 per cent and passenger revenue by 12.2 per cent. Perhaps, the fineprint will provide some light on this crucial issue.
