Lalu aims at making Indian Railways to be the best

The Railways Ministry posts Rs 25,000-cr cash surplus, said Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, while presenting his fifth Rail budget. Modernisation and technology are key words in Railway Minister Lalu's Prasad's fifth budget who introduced 53 new trains and smart cards for Mumbai.

The Railway Minister began his Budget speech after an hour's delay and his first statement was to praise his department. The Railways made a profit of Rs 25,000 cr last year because of the UPA government's policies, he said.

He said the turnaround of the Indian Railways was due largely to the efforts of its 1.4 million employees. "Everybody is appreciating that I have done tremendous work," he said in English.

With elections due in a series of states and general elections due in a year's time, expectations were once again high for a people-friendly rail budget, which had been Lalu Prasad's mantra on the previous four occasions.

"This budget will mark the beginning of our vision for Indian Railways over the next 25 years. We will take Indian Railways to new heights - make it the world's best," Lalu Prasad had said a few hours before his scheduled speech.

Highlights:

All long-distance trains to have public address systems

All new coaches made of stainless steel by 09/10

Multi-level parking to be built at 30 large stations

Looking at enabling reservations through mobile phones

To introduce environmentally friendly toilets in 36,000 coaches for Rs 40 bn

Railways will be linked by Mar '09 to call centres

Digital display boards at railway stations

All long-distance trains to display estimated time of arrival at all times

Multi-purpose smart Mumbai cards to be introduced

Ticket reservation possible from anywhere

Railways profit due to UPA govt policies

Additional Rs 20 bn earned on freight services

Achieved 790 tonnes pay-load target

Coolies promoted to gangmen

New weekly Puri-Darbhanga express

New Itarsi-Katni passenger train daily

New daily Ahmedabad-Patan express

Chennai-Salem new train daily

Ranchi-Bhagalpur new train tri-weekly

Indore-Udaipur via Ratlam new train tri-weekly