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Mamata's rail: No hike in passenger fares, freight rates

Last updated on: February 24, 2010 13:58 IST

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has cut service charge on passenger fare for sleeper and AC class and did not propose any hike in freight rates in the Railway Budget 2010-11. She announced 101 new suburban trains for Mumbai and many new schemes...

Presenting the Railway Budget for 2010-11 in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said there will be no hike in passenger fares or freight tariff.

She also said that service charge on sleeper class will be cut to Rs 10 and service charge on air-conditioned class cut to Rs 20 from Rs 40.

Mamata's populist rail budget also has many social welfare plans and job-generation schemes too.

Banerjee said that it is time for private partnership in Indian Railways, but said that the railways will not be privatised. She said that clearance to private investment will be provided in 100 days to speed up projects.

Banerjee appealed to business houses to join hands for building partnership with Railways. Presenting the Railway Budget she said a special task force will be set up for early clearance of projects.

Budget simplified!

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