Chhattisgarh CM welcomes rail budget

Raipur, Jul 8:

Chief Minister

on Wednesday welcomed the

government's first

, saying it contains several pro-passenger initiatives.

He also welcomed the announcement of two trains for for the BJP-ruled state - Nagpur-Bilaspur high speed train and Hapa-Bilaspur weekly.

"I congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister D V Sadananda Gowda for their first railway budget. Through the budget, both of them have given a new perspective to the nation," Singh said in a statement.

Introduction of Nagpur-Bilaspur and Hapa-Bilaspur trains and the move to expedite construction of Bhupdevpur- Raigarh-Mand rail corridor in Chhattisgarh will certainly benefit the state, Singh said.

The rail corridor will facilitate faster supply of coal to power plants, the Chief Minister said. The state will also benefit in part from the proposed diamond quadrilateral rail network project involving high-speed trains, he said.

"The budget consists of no unrealistic promises and speedy completion of pending projects has been given utmost priority. Over the years, key issues like passenger safety and amenities had been sidetracked but this budget has addressed these issues."

Proposals such as modernisation of railway, deploying new technology, giving importance to cleanliness and supplying quality food to passengers will bring relief to general public, Singh added.

PTI