Emphasising the importance of taking rail connectivity to large parts of the country, she said railways have both long and short-term goals and it was time for private partnership in railways, no privatisation. A special task force would be created to give clearances for projects within 100 days and policy guidelines would be made 'simple, easy and investor-friendly'. She made no changes in fares or freight structure. She envisaged business firms participating in dedicated freight corridors and terminals and other works and new, innovative financing would be developed in which private sector would have a share in revenue. She said it was proposed to raise between Rs.10,000 and Rs. 20,000 crores in 2010-11.

Her plans include addition of 1,000 new lines or more each year toward the target of 25,000 km by 2020. The Railways would considerably improve upon the present level of amenities at stations and on trains and work towards modernisation to catch up with standards in the West. She announced an array of new factories and units including the proposed coach factory at Rae Bareilly work on which would begin 'in the next year', a diesel multiple unit factory to be set up in West Bengal 'if land is available' - “there would be no forcible acquisition of land' - a railway research centre at Kharagpur, a design, development and testing centre at Bangalore, a wagon repair shop in Banera (Central railway) and expansion of Perambur and Chittaranjan coach and locomotive factories respectively.

She as usual expected a list of new trains, some 117 to be flagged off within seven months and 54 new trains in 2011. Ten more non-stop inter-city trains would be introduced and for Mumbai, there would be an addition of 101 new suburban trains. Rs.1300 crores would be provided for passenger amenities. Some 14,000 level crossings would not be left unmanned within five years. A National High Speed Rail Authority would be set up. Wagon procurement would be stepped up next year. Over Rs.4400crores have been allocated for new lines.

What is most significant about the budget policy of Banerjee is that she has not depended on the internal finances of the railways or the budgetary support to undertake her programmes. She has involved the private companies in the proposed new ventures under public-private partnership (PPP) model so that the Government can make use of its land bank and the private sector companies advance capital to finance the new projects which will give a big boost to the economy of the country in general.

There is a novelty in this approach in the sense that there is no privatisation, it remains with the Government, only the resources of the private sector are being utilised for the benefit of both. The Railway Minister has talked of a vibrant business model for earning revenues since the old ways have been exhausted and the railway system has to tune itself to the requirements of the new age and its multiple demands. The main focus of Banerjee's budget is that the railways are the lifeline of the economy and it connects the entire country, its assets belong to the people and there is no harm in making use of that assets for setting up diagnostic centres and educational institutions.

There is no doubt that the Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee for the first time is taking a well planned policy of using the land available with the railways for the development of the economy as a whole and in this move, she has galvanised the activities of the other ministries like the health and education. There is a vision in this whole approach and the Railway 2020 Vision document has outlined a number of innovative ideas for the massive expansion and modernisation of the rail network in the country. Banerjee's ideas are certainly pro-people but its worth will be tested in the area of implementation only. Still, there are problems in the railways network. While expansion is taking place, proper maintenance of the train and the rail lines have much to be desired. She has increased the amount for the amenities but this has to be properly spent and she has to ensure that she is showing results in the actual implementation of her programmes.

At long last, the railways have become the focus of national attention and its activities are expanding covering other areas which it did not touch before. It is a good attempt and this should be advanced further so that the country's economy as a whole is immensely benefitted as a result of the programmes of the railways. Banerjee has taken the first few steps, more will be required and those will have to be in the right direction without playing into the gallery. (IPA)