Srinagar, Feb 25: Mamata Banerjee today presented the Rail Budget 2011. Even as the railways is severely cash-strapped, Didi announced no fare hikes.
 With her eyes fixed firmly on the West Bengal elections, she announced a decrease in ticket booking charges - Rs. 10 for AC class, Rs. 5 for sleeper.
 The railway minister announced a new metro coach factory in Singur and 15 new suburban trains and 34 new Metro services for Kolkata.
 The budget also announced nine new Duronto trains, three new Shatabdis and 56 new express trains.  The run of 33 trains will be extended and the frequency of 17 will be increased. Mumbai gets 47 new suburban train services. In Chennai, nine more services. Two additional services on the Delhi-Ghaziabad sections and new services for Hyderabad, Patna and other centres have been announced.
 Claiming that there is a focus on rail safety, Didi promised to do away with all unmanned crossings in Financial Year 2012.
 However, the difficult part of Mamata’s Budget, according to experts, is the financials. At the receiving end of much flak for the Railways’ poor fiscal state, Mamata admitted that the “Railways is going through a financially difficult phase.”

Lastupdate on : Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 25 Feb 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:00:00 IST