Mixed response to Rail Budget in Kerala

Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan heading the LDF termed the Railway Budget a 'total disappointment' and said it had failed to do justice to the state.

The budget has not allowed the long-pending demand for a seperate railway zone, he said.

"Even projects declared in the last budget have not been implemented yet. There is no sincerity in implementing the Palakkad Coach Factory and wagon manufacturing unit in Cherthala announced in the last budget," he said.

"If work of coach factory had begun on time, it could have been commissioned by now," he said.

Opposition leader Oommen Chandy hailed the budget as a great achievement for the state.

"Kerala has got 12 trains of the total of 83 announced and it is a great achievement. Malabar region has got greater consideration. The coming up of Palakkad Coach Factory and wagon manufacturing unit in Cherthala will pave way for large-scale development in the region," Chandy said.