Mamata likely to present Rail Budget on July 8

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to present the Rail Budget in the Lok Sabha on July 8.

"The Rail Budget is likely to be presented on July 8. The ministry is preparing a status report to be presented before the Railway Minister. The report is to be submitted in a day or two and after that the budget outline will be drawn by the minister," a senior ministry official said.

The ministry is likely to shell out about Rs 14,000 crore to its staff because of the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission in the current fiscal.

The current operating ratio of 88 per cent is likely to be affected due to the implementation of the pay commission report, said the official.

Railways have often drawn flak from passengers for low quality food being served and unhygienic conditions prevailing in trains and platforms.

"Some drastic measures need to be taken to improve passenger amenities like food quality and cleanliness in trains," the official said.

Enhancing capacity of rolling stock including gauge conversion, doubling and laying new lines, acquisition of new coaches and wagons are some of the priorities of the ministry.

Beside work in major projects like Kashmir rail link, Dedicated Freight Corridor, the budget will also focus on the security upgrading of stations in metropolitan cities keeping the threat perception in mind.