Railway budget favours Maharashtra, says Chavan

Mumbai, Feb 25 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief MinisterPrithviraj Chavan today said the railway budget has favouredthe state with announcement of new Duranto trains, ShatabdiExpresses, 47 more services of suburban local trains and theproposal to convert nine-coach local trains into 12-coachtrains.

"The railway budget gave topmost priority to welfareof the common man as promised in the UPA Government''s agenda,"Chavan said.

There was no fare-hike. Besides, there was announcementof housing scheme for people living by the railway tracks,which will benefit many in Mumbai, Chavan pointed out.

20 railway stations, including Mumbai and Pune, would berevamped, Chavan said.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar appreciated therailway budget for not hiking fare.

"The announcement of trains linking Nagpur-Kolhapur,Pune-Nanded, Nagpur-Bhusawal, Mumbai-Sawantwadi andMumbai-Manmad was significant...it would strengthen the railnetwork in the state," Pawar added. .