Javadekar calls Railway Budget 'people-oriented'

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday said that the Railway Budget was a 'revolutionary and people-centric budget'.

He said that steps initiated in this budget would not only improve safety, security and facilities for passengers but also enhance speed of travel on the Indian Railways.

"The budget will also address the problem of resource- crunch. Entrusting faith in the initiatives mentioned in the rail budget, the technology-oriented services would ensure transparency as well as user-friendliness," Javadekar said.

"Railway Budget-2015-16 addresses the Environmental concerns in a much focussed manner. It is for the first time that greater emphasis has been laid on environmental protection by the Railways. Creation of an Environment Directorate and initiatives like Bio-toilets, energy audit, water and energy recycling and sensitivity towards wildlife are highly praiseworthy," he added.

Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu earlier in the day presented the Railway Budget for fiscal 2015-16 in Parliament.

This is the NDA Government's first full-fledged railway budget since assuming power last year.