Budget fund to help provide better safety to train travellers

This year's railway budget focuses on increasing revenues through freight traffic and will not impose burden on people, Shubhranshu, the divisional railway manager (DRM) of the Salem division said.

He said the budget has allotted Rs 304 crore to Salem division, which will be primarily used for providing better road and railway safety for passengers and commuters.

The divisional railway manager, who was in Coimbatore on Friday to attend the Annual Day function at the Railway Mixed School in Podanur, said this year's budget was 'creative'. "Though there is no hike in fares, they have come up with other ways in order to increase railways' revenue," Shubhranshu said. "They have decided to use freight capacity better and liberalize container traffic," he added.

Also, the budget provides funds to construct 100 good sheds across the country. "They have also decided to increase earnings from advertisements to Rs 1,000 crore and from exports to Rs 4,000 crore by the year 2020," he said.

The DRM also called the budget people-friendly, especially for the decision to introduce 'Antyodaya'.

"This is a superfast train, especially for the poor as it is completely going to have only unreserved compartments. Though we don't know in what all cities the train will be introduced, the idea is very creative," he opined.

The funds of Rs 304 crore allotted to the Salem division were mainly going to be utilized of the construction of road over bridges, subways, track renewals and signal improvisations. "These things are going to be very passenger and commuter-friendly as it ensures safety," he further said.

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