New Delhi: Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Monday asserted that the Railway Budget for 2007-08 was aimed at "slapping" inflation through measures to lighten the burden on the common man.
Encouraged with increased profitability of Railways, the Minister also said that the profitability in Railways had debunked the theory that only privatisation can bring in turn-around.
"We will allow public-private partnership, but the controlling stakes would always be with the government", he said.
He said private investments worth Rs 10,000 crore had been cleared in the container service sector.
Lalu said passengers traveling in sleeper class and 3-tier air-conditioned class will start enjoying lower fares when the high capacity bogies begin to replace the existing ones.
He said 2,500 coaches having raised berth capacity of 84 seats from the present 72 will be manufactured every year.
On the performance of Railways, the Minister said as against the 666 million tonnes freight target for 2006-07, the Railways would be carrying 726 million tonnes of freight this fiscal.
He said new proposals such as vendor coaches and additional 'Garib Rath' (poor man's chariot) trains were focused on the common man.
Six per cent reduction in freight for all minerals, including iron ore and limestone
Superfast surcharge levied on second-class tickets reduced by 20 per cent
Reduction in fares by Re 1 per passenger in non-suburban tickets
AC first class fare will be reduced
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