Dinesh Trivedi rocks; Indian Railway Budget 2012: Highlights

Published: Thursday, March 15, 2012, 15:12 [IST]

New Delhi, Mar 14: Union Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi finally tabled the long awaited Indian Railway Budget 2012-13. It seems that Trivedi has succeeded to win the hearts of the aam-aadmi (common man), though the main opposition party BJP termed the Rail Budget as 'anti-aam aadmi' and also claimed, "there is no vision in the budget and prices will shoot up." [UPDATE: 'Illiterate' Mamata Banerjee became 'mad' after Railway Budget 2012?]

Here are the highlights of the budget presented by Trivedi:

75 new express trains and 21 new passenger trains to be introduced,
75 new services in Mumbai to be introduced,
Guru Parikrama special trains to run through Amritsar, Patna, Nanded routes,
Fares to increase by 3p/km for express trains,5p/km for sleeper class,
Fares to be hiked by 2p/km for second class, 30p/km for 1st AC and 10p/km for 3rd AC,
Platform ticket to cost Rs 5 from Rs 3
Delhi-Chennai fares: Second class up by Rs 43, AC III up by Rs 217, AC first class up by Rs 435
Delhi-Mumbai fares: Second class up by Rs 27, AC III tier by Rs 138, AC first class by Rs 405
Arjuna awardees to be given facility of concession in Rajdhani express
50% concession to patients suffering from Anemia, sickle cell Anemia diseases, in AC coaches,
2,500 rail coaches to be equipped with bio toilets,
Specialised house-keeping body to enhance standard hygiene and cleanliness.