Nothing much to cheer for city in Prabhu’s maiden Rail Budget

Aarti Kapur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 26

There is nothing to cheer for city residents in the Rail Budget for 2015-16, presented by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu today. In his maiden Rail Budget, Prabhu did not announce any new trains for the city or any projects for the railway station.

An amount of Rs 601 lakh has been sanctioned in the Budget for constructing gates at the unmanned Chandigarh-Morinda railway crossing. An announcement was made for introducing on-board entertainment in all Shatabdi trains. At present, three Shatabdi trains ply from the city to New Delhi, in which this facility will be introduced.

The facility to charge mobile phones will be provided in general class coaches while the sleeper class coaches will have more charging points. Meanwhile, among the ongoing projects, funds have been allocated for a double-lane track between Chandigarh and Ambala, opening of a newly constructed ticket counter, a semi-high speed train between Chandigarh and Delhi, a world-class station, construction of 105 residential quarters in the Railway Colony and an additional track between Dappar and Chandigarh.

In the past two budgets, the city had got eight new trains, one semi-high speed between Chandigarh and New Delhi and a new line — Yamunanagar-Chandigarh via Sadhaura, Naraingarh.

Major announcements in past budgets

n In 2013-14, the then Railway Minister had announced six new trains, increased the frequency of two others and extended three trains to the city. Among the major projects announced were a training centre and residential quarters for the railway staff.

n In the interim Budget for 2014-15, a semi-high speed project between Chandigarh and Delhi and two trains — the Jaipur-Chandigarh Intercity and the Ramnagar-Chandigarh weekly express were announced.

n In 2014-15, a train between Firozepur and Chandigarh was announced.