Deshmukh hails railway budget

Mumbai, Feb 26 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today hailed the railway budget 2008-09 presented by Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav today.

The budget proposals had several benefits for Maharashtra. The budget had provided new trains -- Osmanabad-Hyderabad, Amravati-Mumbai and Ballarasha-Mumbai--to the State, while the proposal for Wardha-Yavatmal-Nanded and Jalgaon-Udna trains hadalso been accepted, Mr Deshmukh said in astatement.

Besides, provisions had been made to convert Mumbai CST into an international-level terminus with an assurance that MUTP Phase I would be completed by 2009 and MUTP II would be completed in the 11th Five Year Plan.

''These provisions will go a long way in promoting the metropolis as an international destination,'' he added.

The provisions would help boost the State's industrial development, Mr Deshmukh said while also appreciating the introduction of ''Go Mumbai'' smart card.

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