Today Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee presented 15th Rail budget 2009-2010 in Parliament Shows the quite relief to the common men.

Mamata Banerjee said that 12 non-stop intercity air-conditioned trains will be introduced and announced proposals for introduction of 57 new trains, improvement in passenger amenities and upgrading some 300 stations to global standards.

She announced that Izzat scheme will be launched for unorganized sector workers- Rs 25 pass up to 100km journey

She also said that multi-function complexes will be set up in 50 station premises. "Fifty stations will be developed into world class facilities," she said naming those at Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Varanasi Guwahati, Chennai, Mangalore, Porbundar and Kochi, among others.

Some of the Main Highlights of Rail Budgets:-

•   There is no hike passenger fares, freight charges
•   One doctor to be posted on each long distance train
•   Yuva fares Rs.299 up to a distance of 1,500 km and Rs 399 up to 2,500 km
•   50 mobile rail ticket vans to be introduced
•   12 non-stop trains
•   Air-conditioned double-decker trains for inter-city travel
•   Discount of 60% on fare if press correspondents travel with spouse
•   200 automatic vending machines at key stations for selling tickets
•   Passengers can buy unreserved tickets at 5,000 post offices
•   Janta khana will be available  at railway stations
•   50 stations at tourist, religious places to have integrated facilities

well Tatkal facility is now 2 day.. and its going to come into effect frm 1st august..yeah..

I think there should be 2 to 3 chair-cars in all long route trains. Those should be reserve-able on the spot at the railway station. This will help in following ways :
1. People who need to travel under emergency can avail such reservation facility, (not Tatkal because Tatkal needs mostly gets reserved in 2 days)
2. People who travel on DAILY PASS between nearer stations can avail this facility
3. This will make the life of long route travelers easy.

Prasanna Shembekar