Mumbai: The announcement of railway safety, cleanliness and upgrading of amenities in the railway budget has been welcomed by the residents of Mumbai, but most wonder when these promises will be fulfilled. Moreover, they say the increase in fares is far greater than expected.
In a city where more than seven million people use the rail network every day and were hoping that major changes would make their daily journeys a little more pleasant and safer, "the budget has come as a total disappointment to me," said Sameer Jhaveri of the Mumbai Suburban Railway Passengers Association. "About 40 per cent of the country's rail passengers are from Mumbai and I think they deserve a better deal."
Having lost both his legs in his younger days on the rail tracks and working sincerely since then for the safety and welfare of commuters, he says, "In a Right to Information application made to the railways, I learnt that 7,800 people get injured and 2,700 die every year in suburban trains. What has this budget proposed to tackle this serious issue on an urgent basis?" he asks.
Manohar Shelar, who heads a federation of rail passengers' associations, has welcomed the setting up of a Research and Development Council and Rail Safety Authority, though many feel it will take time.
"Doing away with all unmanned level crossings in the next five years is a good decision but the railways has to now construct that many bridges. Have they considered that?" he wonders.
An angry P.R.Nair, General Secretary, Navi Mumbai Railway Passengers Welfare Association, says, "A little fare hike is OK but why can't they provide us the basic amenities. In case of accidents, our volunteers try to render help to the victims."
On the more positive side, many have welcomed the 75 new services for the metropolis.
According to Dr S. J. Garg, Railway Passenger and Traffic Relief Association. the fare could go up by 14-17 per cent and "this is steep", he says.
