AGATALA, Feb 1 (TIWN): Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley during the budget presentation said that it is after 92 years that the rail budget has been merged with the General Budget. Pointing out the expectation of people from the Railway budget Jailtley said, “Our government was elected amidst huge expectations of people, the underlying theme of expectations being good governance. However the Finance confirmed that Indian Railways' autonomy would be maintained even after its budget was merged with the Union Budget 2017-18. Thus it can be assumed that NE states and other states would not be deprived and the railway budget is to hike than the last year also. But a Rs 1,31,000 crore for railways capex and development expenditure in 2017-18, announced Jaitley. Apart from that Government earmarks new railway safety fund of Rs one lakh crore. Rs 10,000 crore allocation for laying optic fibre cables.

It’s worthy to mention here that the Railway budget has been the key focus of the Tripura people, although the budget yet to be declared.

Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu during the inauguration of the 6th  BG train service in Tripura via video conference from New Delhi said, “Northeast State Tripura will not be deprived of any modern technology, which will help to increase the train speed in this zone”. “Like other states Northeast State Tripura will be equally treated when it comes for service”, said Suresh Prabhu. “We are next planning to increase train speed upto 100 KM per hour”, said Prabhu.

“To equally develop the infrastructure of railway is the wish of PM Modi. He cares extra about NE India. Till day Northeast was neglected by the Central Govt and in case of technology if after distributing the whole country, anything remained so it was given to Northeast, but the scenario have been changed now. Railway, Port-way---in every aspects the connectivity of Northeast will be introduced by moderntechnology”, said Prabhu.

The Minister further asked the state govts  to attempt for utilizing the BG in generating trade. “Tourism has been the key to business via train service. Now the railway has been connected till Udaipur, where Tripura Sundari temple is located and the state govt should take attempts to boost states tourism potentialities”, said Prabhu.

Mentioning further about various ongoing crisis in state Tripura, Prabhu pointed out, “During my last visit in Tripura in the month of July, the state was suffering from extreme diesel crisis. We immediately launched train service to diminish the crisis and now the state govt should utilize the train service to avoid any kind of such crisis”.

About his concern to expand the railway network Prabhu said, “I have a very keen relation with Northeast India and I will be keep on coming in Northeast. Northeast much be developed like other developed countries. It’s the wish of Modi Ji”.

Now the state is eagerly waiting for the budget announcement about railway.