Reactions and Reviews on Rail Budget 2009-10

The interim Rail Budget for the fiscal year 2009-10 was unveiled in Parliament by the Railway Minister Sh. Lalu Prasad Yadav on 13th. February, 2009. There has been mixed reactions to this years Rail Budgetwhere some sections of the society have welcomed people-friendly announcements like introduction of new trains and a cut in the passenger fares by 2%, at the same time the Railway Minister has got condemned in his approach to the Rail Budget as an election gimmick. 

Read the latest comments on Rail Budget

“By stepping up spending for financial year 2009-10 to Rs 37,900 crore and by proposing a massive investment for the eleventh plan period, the railways could set the growth trigger for certain sectors like steel, engineering and construction.” 
said Mr. Harish Pati Singhania, President FICCI

“I am not happy that the budget did not roll back the freight hikes imposed on coal and cement transportation recently. Also its disappointing that the cause of the environment was not helped by extending freight concessions to fly ash, slag and green products” 
said Mr. Sumit Banerjee, CEO, ACC Cement 

“Lalu's rail budget is an election gimmick”
said Ms. Mamta Banerjee, Trinamool Congress chief

“We were expecting reduction in railways freight as only then would we have been able to export more. Since the last budget, freight rates have been increased by over 50 percent.”
said Mr. RK Sharma- Secretary General, Federation of Indian MineralIndustries

“The Interim Rail Budget has been pretty flat one, there haven't been any direct benefits for the industry as such but certain indirect benefits are looking bright.”
said Mr. Ankit Miglani, Director (Commercial) at Uttam Galva Steels

“It is a positive move that the dedicated freight corridor on the Ludhiana-Kolkata route would be inaugurated by the end of this month. The rail freight sector is expected to get a boost, with the railways deciding to introduce new high-capacity wagons.” 
said Mr. D.P. Agarwal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Group TCI, a freight container company 

“The announcement of Rs 37,900 crore investments in 2009-10 is not encouraging enough. Many railway projects just get inaugurated. Project implementation is a far cry.” 
said Mr. RD Sharma, Chairman, Kalindee Rail Nirmal (Engineers)