New Delhi, February 24
Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today proposed no increase in passenger fares and freight rates while announcing a slew of concessions, including those for carriage of foodgrains, kerosene and fertiliser. Presenting her second budget for the UPA government she announced that there would be a reduction of Rs 100 per wagon in freight charges for carrying fertiliser, foodgrains for domestic consumption and kerosene. She promised of a new business model to encourage private investment along with social commitment but without privatisation.

“Our objective is inclusive growth,” she said while presenting the Railway Budget for the year 2010-11, adding that her main consideration in this year's budget was social responsibility rather than mere commercial viability of projects. “We have set our goals in the Vision 2020 document and we will achieve it,” the minister said, referring to the document unveiled in December that has targeted making over 30,000 route kilometres or multiple lines against 18,000 route kilometres at present.

Mamata also proposed to reduce the maximum limit of service charge on e-booking of tickets to Rs10 for sleeper class and Rs 20 for AC class. The present maximum charge is Rs 15 nd Rs 40 respectively. This is the seventh year in a row that passenger fares have not been raised. Announcing a slew of concessions for passengers, Mamata proposed free travel for cancer patients going for treatment in three-tier AC and sleeper class and continuance of concessions for students of madrassas and journalists.

The minister said 101 new suburban services will be introduced in Mumbai and more services will be launched in Kolkata and Chennai.

A special train, Sanskriti Express, to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore will run across the country and also to Bangladesh. Special tourist trains called Bharat Teerth will be started on 16 routes, while six long-distance non-stop Duronto Express and four short-distance Duronto day trains will be introduced, the Railway Minister said. She also announced that the technicians of the regional film industry would get 75 per cent concession in second class sleeper and 50 per cent in higher classes in all trains while travelling for film production-related work. The benefit of 50 per cent concession to the spouse of accredited journalists has been extended to the companions of those who do not have a spouse. Their dependent children of up to 18 years of age would also get 50 per cent concession once a year.

According to Mamata, 117 out of the 122 new trains promised in her last budget will be flagged off by March 31, within a matter of seven months, which was a commendable effort. Seeking to give safety issues due consideration, the minister said there were a few cases of unfortunate accidents in the past and said these would be prevented by adopting the highest level of technology and manpower training.

RAILWAY BUDGET AT A GLANCE