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Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal was seen under the pressure of impending Legislative Assemblies and Lok Sabha elections, while presenting his maiden Rail Budget, but unfortunately he failed to enthuse the people of India with its provisions. Elections will be held in many states of the countries in coming months and Lok Sabha election is also due in 2014. This is perhaps the last Rail Budget of UPA2 government, which may most probably go for only a vote on account next year, if Lok Sabha election is held on its due date. That is the reason, why RM was expected to present a populist budget.

For the first time in many years, the railway budget this year brought a breath of fresh air. Instead of expressing platitudes about poor men and poverty and requirements of virtually free rail travel, the budget this time talks about Indian railway network future and a vision for future growth.

The Railways, a prime mover of India’s economy, are in bad times. Going by all key operational parameters such as handling of freight earning cargo volume, passenger numbers, status of technology, safety and security, quality of service, investment in modernization of tracks, rolling stock, locomotives, signaling and safety equipment, and passenger comfort, the performance of Indian Railways during 2012-13 has been among the worst in memory. It is estimated to incur a loss of around Rs. 24,000 crore during this fiscal. The railways failed miserably in achieving the current fiscal’s performance projections.

New Delhi: Keeping in view the polls ahead, the Government has done a tight rope walking, managing both the revenue to be garnered and avoiding immediate impact on passengers

New Delhi: The Indian Railways in the current year has taken care to ensure connectivity with country’s border areas – a vital aspect in the defence strategy.

New Delhi: Conscious of India joining the exclusive Club of Nations in Mountain Railways that include only Switzerland and Austria, the Indian Railways has taken up the agenda for boosting Rail Tourism.

New regimes normally face three major tasks – ensure political stability, fulfill its election promises and improve governance making it accountable to the people. It is too early to pass, on the basis of the three criteria, any judgement on the functioning of the two-months old Himachal Pradesh’s Virbhadra Singh-led Congress government. Yet, an attempt needs to be made to perceive the direction of the wind.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Has the political tide turned decisively against the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Government?

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is lending $150 million towards a $500 million project that will build a hydropower plant with a 140-megawatt capacity.