Mumbai : The railway budget evoked mixed reactions from passengers and activists who were expecting reduction in rail fares as prices of crude oil have gone down in recent times. They also said that no immediate solutions were proposed to solve the suburban train problems in Mumbai.
Mamata Burkhe. who works in a private company said, “I learnt that railways have decided to install CCTV cameras in ladies’ coaches. I am afraid only CCTV cameras will not solve the security problems.” She complained of no security personnel in the ladies coach at night.
She added, “Now almost nine out of ten women work. So, besides security, number of bogies reserved for women needs to increase.”
In the last few months, crude oil prices have gone down so passengers were expecting that there would be some relief in the fare. Madhukar Kamble, working in a courier company said, “When the crude oil price increases, railways increase the fare. Now, the crude oil has gone down so the railways should bring down the fare proportionally.”
However, activist and expert in railway issues Anil Tiwari said, “In the long term and infrastructure point of view, this is an ideal budget. The Railway Minister avoided tall claims in his speech and gave priority to long pending projects.”
He added, “Under the MUTP III, city’s long pending demands like extension of harbour line from Goregaon to Borivali, additional 5th and 6th lines between Borivali and Virar and introduction of new corridor in Virar-Vasai Road- Diva-Panvel are approved.”
A Deputy Director attached to Ministry of Youth Affair and Sports who stays in the western suburbs and travel by a government vehicle to office, since she needs to change trains to reach office, said, “Once harbour line is extended up to Borivali, I will prefer the local train for daily commuting which will save fuel, driver’s salary and funds of government.”
Vishnudas Sheshrao
