Thursday, 13 February 2014

India Inc gives thumbs up to Interim Rail Budget 2014

India Inc has given thumbs up to Interim Rail Budget 2014, wherein no populist measures were announced. Appreciating government's focus on modernization and expansion of the country's vast rail network without touching passenger fares and freight rates, India Inc termed ‘Railway Budget 2014’ - a step in the right direction.

It noted that government’s focus was rightly attracting huge investments to upgrade, modernizing and expanding railways as per aspirations of people and attempting to bring in foreign direct investment (FDI). It further stated that increasing private participation, as rightly noticed by the government, seems to be the way of future development.

In the interim budget for four months in the Lok Sabha, Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge announced to set up an independent Rail Tariff Authority to rationalize fares. He also highlighted that there was a proposal to expand dynamic pricing of tickets in line with the airline industry.

Further, the minister announced the launch of 17 new premium trains, 39 express trains and ten passenger trains in the coming year and providing rail connectivity to Katra and Vaishnodevi in Jammu and Kashmir, and Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh in the Northeast.

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