PM Narendra Modi says Rail Budget futuristic, growth-oriented

New Delhi, July 8: Hailing the Railway Budget as "futuristic and growth-oriented", Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said it is for the common people as it aspires for better service, speed and safety with focus on development of the country.

He said the Rail Budget presented in Parliament by Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda shows where his government wants to take India through the railways as it focusses on strengthening institutional mechanism, transparency and integrity. "Congratulations to the Railway Minister for presenting a futuristic, growth oriented budget."

Hailing the Railway Budget, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said it is "realistic and comprehensive" as honest analysis had been made about the state of affairs and health of Indian railways.

"The way forward has been clearly outlined in the Budget. Safety, security and service...all these three aspects have been taken care of and the Railway Minister has also made a realistic assessment about the need to complete the ongoing projects," Naidu told reporters outside Parliament House.

He said hundreds of projects were announced in the previous budgets but the works have not been completed. "So this government has taken up that responsibility of completing all ongoing projects on priority," the Minister said.

"Instead of going populist and becoming unrealistic and creating hardship to the people in the long run, the Railway Minister has made efforts to see that the safety, security and service aspect is given high priority and also completion of ongoing projects have taken on a priority," Naidu said.

The high speed trains, bullet trains they all are "indication of the thinking of the government", he said.

"The entire India is connected and I am more happy about the emphasis given on the projects in the northeastern region of the country. No region has been discriminated, every state has been given its due attention," Naidu said.

The Minister also alleged that the opposition was trying to "politicise and trivialise" the budget. "People of the country are watching....It is expected of the members of Parliament to hear the budget with attention and subsequently utilise the opportunity to comment on the budget when the occasion come for the discussion of the budget proposals in details," Naidu said.

"If some people have chosen not to hear the proposal, that means they are doing injustice to the people who have elected them to this House," he said.

"Some people seems to be not able to digest the fact that the new government has come, a new approach has been taken and a true national budget has been presented," Naidu added.

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Rail Budget aims to improve the financial condition of the railways, secure rail tracks, ensure more amenities for passengers and strengthen the overall infrastructure.

"It's the budget for the revival of railways. It is a budget for future vision and for restoring the health of the railways," Prasad told reporters.

PTI