NEW DELHI: Amid expectations of improvement in railway amenities and food served in trains, railway minister Mamata Banerjee began presentation
of Railway Budget 2009-2010 in Lok Sabha.

Mamata Banerjee said that development shouldn't be restricted to a few people and underprivileged should not suffer.

Mamata Banerjee said her focus would be on better passenger amenities, good food at affordable prices, clean toilets at stations and trains. Focus would be on environment-friendly toilets on trains, she added.

Banerjee said that multi-function complexes will be set up in 50 station premises. "Fifty stations will be developed into world class facilities," she said naming those at Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Varanasi Guwahati, Chennai, Mangalore, Porbundar and Kochi, among others.

Banerjee also said that doctors would be available on long-distance trains.

Special facilities will be provided at 375 stations and economic viability will not be the only index, said Mamata.

This is Mamata Banerjee’s first Rail Budget for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and third in her political career.

Minutes before leaving for the Lok Sabha to present the Rail Budget, Mamata Banerjee said she would present a "pro-people" budget in Parliament today.

"It will be a pro-people budget, a simple budget, people's budget," Banerjee said.
 

Source : TOI