Rail Budget addresses speed, safety and sound financing concerns, says Venkaiah Naidu

Union Minister of Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs M. Venkaiah Naidu has described the Rail Budget 2014-15 presented before the Parliament today as an honest account of ills plaguing the railways and the way forward.

"It is a realistic, comprehensive and an honest account of ills of management of Indian Railways over the years that pushed the transport life line of the country into deep difficulties. It conveys government's fresh thinking about quick completion of projects languishing over decades through prioritized investments for better returns on investments," Naidu said.

"Introduction of bullet and high speed trains through required augmentation of safety and other related infrastructure is a quantum jump which is long overdue. Emphasis on modernization, safety and passenger amenities, development of infrastructure through additional resource mobilization is aimed at meeting the aspirations of millions of rail goers," he added.

He further said that the budget statement conveys that instead of being populist and unrealistic to only repent later, it is prudent to be rational and efficient in management of such a critical system.

Describing it as true national budget, Naidu said: "North-East and other regions' requirements have been given due consideration in all aspects of provision of rail services.