NEW DELHI: Parliament on Thursday approved the Railway Budget 2006-07, with the Rajya Sabha passing by voice vote the Appropriation (Railways) Vote on Account Bill, 2006, for Rs. 18,662 crore along with the Appropriation (Railways) Bill, 2006 and the Appropriation (Railways) No 2 Bill.

The Lok Sabha had already passed the relevant bills last week.

Replying to the discussion, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad assured Left MPs from West Bengal that necessary steps would be taken to link Kolkata with the East-West freight corridor announced in the budget.

Responding to a various demands by members, Mr. Prasad said no region would be neglected. He would write back to members on additional trains, gauge conversions, new lines, extension of trains and facilities on board.

He said it was due to the policies undertaken by the United Progressive Alliance Government that the Ministry had returned a surplus budget without raising passenger fares or freight charges. Safety and security of passengers would remain a priority with the Government.

His Ministry had narrowed the gap between the rich and poor passengers with the introduction of four `garib rath' trains on a pilot basis.

The proposal is to connect all State capitals with `garib rath' trains for the `aam admi.'

He said there were no shortage of funds for strengthening bridges and track renewal and to improve wagon availability.

He assured members from Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh that their demands would be considered.

However, when members continued to raise further demands, Deputy Chairman K. Rahman Khan assured the House that the Minister would send individual replies.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail