NEW DELHI: Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu is set to present his maiden budget for the department today amid expectations of a clear roadmap to re-energise one of the largest railroad networks in the world that’s been floundering in recent decades due to a mix of political populism, lack of vision and funds crunch.
The latest railway budget evokes particular interest as it comes six months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government allowed 100 per cent foreign equity in some big-ticket projects of the railways, promising it to be a game-changer for the 162-year-old network, that transports goods and passengers with an eye on social obligations.
Yet, one aspect of the budget is a foregone conclusion – there will be no lowering of fares. “It won’t be done. Fares are already low and government is giving subsidy,” Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha said a week ago, echoing what his senior minister has been maintaining all along.
