Chartered Accountant Phone: 2686 8147

M. Com., LL.B., FCA, FCMA, FCS B-49, Gulmohar Park, Ex- Member-AMIMA, AMIBM, ACEA (London), MIIA (USA). New Delhi-110 049

Rail Budget

Rail Budget is like an election manifesto with promises which are hardly fulfilled-whatever good of Budget proposals, they must be implemented in right spirit. The Common passengers need a comfortable journey but from first step of booking reserved seats to stepping down from its journey- there are more of problems than comforts. Cleanliness, quality food (with printed menu cards listing the price of food in order to avoid over-charging), clean toilet with adequate water in wash basin and liquid soap must be always available - in trains and at platforms etc, porters demanding high rates (Will calling them ‘Sahayak’ – change their attitude?), trains not running in time- most right information is not available in time for it. No passenger should be allowed to travel in reserved compartments without a valid ticket. Railway administration must get its nose tight on such measure.

Train fares are not increased to benefit commuters in the budget but already cancellation rates are increased, platform ticket rate is doubled, very high amount is charged for Tatkal and Premium Tatkal –so where is the need to increase fares? (TATKAL in public interest must be abolished as last minute / emergency travelling like on death etc results in very high cost) Trains are overloaded passengers travel on roof –risking their lives. For safety this practice must be stopped for all reasons. Booking in advance with 120 days have no practical benefit – Such a long time programmes cannot be practically made- 60 days is enough. At present even to buy a platform ticket require 15-30 minutes; no separate counters for it are there –not even for Senior citizens --it is sold with unreserved tickets window.

It is rightly proposed to increase lower berths quota for all Senior Citizens-since practically all senior citizens cannot get lower birth as per present software booking system. It is suggested to change software in such a way that when quota of all tickets is booked –filled completely, automatically senior citizens berth is changed to lower berth if at first instance it is not so.

The Indian Railways will also be better off if it introduces its own taxi / auto /bus service to ferry passengers to local destinations.

(Mahesh Kapasi)