Money On Tracks

The Rail Budget 2006 is certainly directed at giving the low-cost air transport a run for its money. Slashing the rates of air-conditioned travel fare and proposing a reduced journey time for some of the key long-distance trains, are certainly indicators of this. The proposed ‘Garib Rath’ is a novel idea, as is the slash in travel fare for farmers and milkmen. However, the Railway Minister will supposedly be tested with volleys of angry questions from the West Bengal Left Front MPs for not extending the proposed freight corridor to Kolkata.