The Hindu Business Line : Rail Budget pragmatic: Cochin Chamber

THE trade and industry here has welcomed the Union Railway Budget 2004, describing it a `pragmatic one' with a focus on modernisation of railways and infrastructure development.

The President of the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr N.R. Pai, said that the Budget's emphasis on improved infrastructure and increased services through introduction of new trains and extension of existing services especially where Kerala is concerned is most welcome.

The move to provide additional safety measures, increased passenger amenities, concessions to speech and hearing impaired persons and free travel facility to be given to unemployed youth attending Government job interviews is also highly appreciable and in keeping with the spirit of the Government's Common Minimum Programme, he added.

Mr P.M. Muraleedharan, President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcomed the Budget saying that the proposals for modernisation including IT measures, replacement and renewal for assets particularly track renewal, new safety measures will help to increase passenger and goods traffic.

However, considering the difficulties in getting reservation on long distance trains from stations in Kerala, it would have been appropriate if one more additional express train is allotted to meet the heavy traffic between the Kerala and Gujarat sector.

The emphasis given on control over expenditure and prevention of leakage of revenue indicates the Minister's will to achieve administrative efficiency which will, in turn, help the Railways to mobilise resources for its developmental projects. It is hoped that sufficient fund allocations would be made to complete the ongoing line doubling and electrification works in Kerala during this fiscal itself, he added.

Complementing the budget, Mr T.R. Raghulal, Chairman, CII-Kerala, said that it is pleased to note that there will be no increase in passenger fares and freight rates and the Minister maintained the status quo in freight tariff.

The 10 per cent rebate on the freight rate will encourage the heavy machinery consignment and help woo customers from the road sector.

However, he pointed out that there were no new projects and expansion plans for Kerala in the Budget announcement. There is a need for immediate allocation of funds for the construction of railway over bridges in the State, he added.

More Stories on : Railway Budget | Industry Associations | Kerala

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