The Lok Sabha is now discussing the Railway Budget for 2012-13. Initiating the discussion, Ms. Sumitra Mahajan, BJP, said the Railways needs a solid economic foundation and not populism. She said enhanced freight rate as proposed in the budget will further increase inflation. Piecemeal allocation of funds for the pending projects has only resulted in cost and time overruns.

Mr. P.C. Chako, Congress, said the Railways must be treated as the lifeline of the country. Hence, it has to be run on a sound economic footing. He demanded modernization of the entire railway network keeping the national perspective in view.

Mr. Revati Raman Singh, Samajwadi Party, demanded better rail connectivity for Uttar Pradesh with the Southern States. He called for increasing the railway network in the State with more stoppages of long-distance trains passing through it.
The discussion is continuing