Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has delivered a please-all railway budget; there's no increase in passenger or freight fares and there's a massive list of amenities and concessions.
But Mamata's speech in Parliament was also a very political one with frequent references to her campaign slogan Ma Mati Manush and a host of benefits for West Bengal.
Her trademark jhola on Friday carried the budget papers, Mamata walked in to present her vision of railways 2009.
Life's journey is one of dignity and train journey is also like that and Didi didn't disappoint.
Her main focus
- Passenger, freight fares unchanged
- Focus on amenities, cleanliness, safety, punctuality
- Izzat scheme: 25-rupee monthly tickets for 100 km travel
- Yuva trains for youngsters: Rs 299 for 1,500 km
- Turant Scheme: 12 non-stop express trains
- Special battalion, more women commandos for women travelers
And of course, Mamata's bag of goodies for West Bengal.
Mamata's Bengal express
- 18 new trains
- Model stations for Lalgarh, Singur
- 90 new stations in West Bengal
"Priorities for the railways are safety, good food and punctuality," said Mamata Banerjee.
A budget that earned her praise and a good word even from unexpected quarters.
"All that was being claimed about Railways in the last five years, has been exposed today," said Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister, Bihar.
There was the obvious opposition but by and large Mamata Di's budget was approved by most.
"If the promises are fulfilled, only then does the budget have any relevance," said Brinda Karat, Leader, CPM.
There could be some revision in passenger fares and changes in the Tatkal scheme to make it more passenger friendly.
So, while Lalu ensured that economically the railways stayed healthy, Mamata Banerjee is now trying to give it a human face.
