Before I begin, I must reiterate that I'm no blind Modi loyalist or a rabid anti-Congressman. I'm just reacting to the Railway Budget '14 that Mr Sadananda Gowda had presented in Parliament. I say that it's a budget with a difference because, for the first time after many, many years here's one that doesn't cater for the minister's home state with new trains or facilities.
Let's recapitulate a few of the salient aspects that support my opening statement:-
(a) A national outlook has been given to the budget. To cite an example, seven new trains have been
announced for the strategically crucial North-eastern region and an allocation of over Rs.5,000
crores for speeding up ongoing projects. Railways is the property of every Indian and it's a
public utility service that needs careful nurturing!
(b) Populist measures have been given the go by. Passenger fares and freight rates have been raised -
tho' done during the run up to the budget and hence, doesn't find a mention in it - which were
inescapable as they'd not been revised over the past decade or more. Good services do come
with a price and generally, one doesn't mind it!
(c) Safety and cleanliness have been highlighted. Simply because it's public property these aspects
cannot be wished away!
(d) A thrust has been given to infrastructure development and modernisation. Towards this end,
PPP(Public Private Partnership) and FDI(Foreign Direct Investment) except in 'Operations'
have been invited. The only way out to circumvent the cash crunch but one shouldn't
forget that the PPP did not have many takers in the past!
(e) The Railway Stations to have similar facilities as those found in airports. A fact that has been
overlooked in the past!
It's my fond hope that the Indian Railways becomes world class with state of the art operational system and a sure ticket to a ride of endless joy for every Indian.
Tailpiece.
I was particularly happy to read about the introduction of coaches that would have doors which would automatically shut down once the train has started moving. That singular point would prevent accidents of being thrown off running trains and put an end to such bizarre deaths! And also avoid foot board travel!!
Let's recapitulate a few of the salient aspects that support my opening statement:-
(a) A national outlook has been given to the budget. To cite an example, seven new trains have been
announced for the strategically crucial North-eastern region and an allocation of over Rs.5,000
crores for speeding up ongoing projects. Railways is the property of every Indian and it's a
public utility service that needs careful nurturing!
(b) Populist measures have been given the go by. Passenger fares and freight rates have been raised -
tho' done during the run up to the budget and hence, doesn't find a mention in it - which were
inescapable as they'd not been revised over the past decade or more. Good services do come
with a price and generally, one doesn't mind it!
(c) Safety and cleanliness have been highlighted. Simply because it's public property these aspects
cannot be wished away!
(d) A thrust has been given to infrastructure development and modernisation. Towards this end,
PPP(Public Private Partnership) and FDI(Foreign Direct Investment) except in 'Operations'
have been invited. The only way out to circumvent the cash crunch but one shouldn't
forget that the PPP did not have many takers in the past!
(e) The Railway Stations to have similar facilities as those found in airports. A fact that has been
overlooked in the past!
It's my fond hope that the Indian Railways becomes world class with state of the art operational system and a sure ticket to a ride of endless joy for every Indian.
Tailpiece.
I was particularly happy to read about the introduction of coaches that would have doors which would automatically shut down once the train has started moving. That singular point would prevent accidents of being thrown off running trains and put an end to such bizarre deaths! And also avoid foot board travel!!
No comments:
Post a Comment