On new lines, gauge conversion and passenger amenities
The Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee presented the 15th Railway Budget in Parliament today, 3 July 2009. This is her first rail budget for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and third in her political career.
Presenting the railway budget, Mamata Banerjee proposed an outlay of Rs 40,745 crore for 2009-10. Out of this, Rs 2,921 crore will be spent on new lines, Rs 1,750 crore on gauge conversion and Rs 1,102 croe on passenger amenities, which is 119% more than the allocation in the interim budget. Rs 424 crore will also be spent on railway staff amenities. She proposed freight loading target of 882 metric tonne and estimated gross freight receipt at Rs 88,419 crore
