After Sampark Kranti Express last year, it may now be the Jan Sadharan Express, a cheaper AC train that will chug its way into the Rail Budget 2006-07 to be presented by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad on February 24.
A number of Jan Sadharan Express trains are likely to be introduced to connect various metros and big cities providing comfort travel to 'Aam Aadmi' (common man) at affordable fare, that will be cheaper than the present AC rail travel in the country.
Talking to PTI on the sidelines of a function in New Delhi to launch the 150-kmph Delhi-Bhopal superfast Shatabdi Express, Prasad gave enough indications in this regard saying he would be introducing new trains more particularly the 'Jan Sadharan' keeping the needs of all sections in mind.
Asked specifically as to what would be the message of the Budget, the minister said: "Railway is now the preferred choice for travelers. Railway is growing faster than the national economy."
Considering the pressures from the United Progressive Alliance allies as also leaders of other political parties for upgraded railway facilities and train services in their respective areas, Prasad is expected to announce changes like upgradation, extension and speeding up of some schemes.
This upgradation of trains is also aimed at removing regional imbalances and requirements of trains, their halt at definite destinations.
The ministry has already announced 'automatic upgradation scheme' of passengers of all Rajdhani trains from February 6 on a trial basis.
The railway minister said the launch of the first phase of the ambitious Rs 22,000 crore 'Dedicated Freight Corridor Project' between Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata would be one of the main highlights of the 2006-07 Railway Budget.
"Under the scheme, we are already laying third line between Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi Kolkata to facilitate faster movement of goods in these sector," he said.
RITES, a public sector undertaking, was asked to conduct the feasibility study of the project and has submitted its draft proposal to the rail ministry, high-level ministry sources told PTI when asked about the status of the corridor.
The proposal for the corridor has already been cleared by the Planning Commission and also by the infrastructure committee headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The corridor, along the Golden Quadrilateral, is expected to connect the four metros and the major ports of the country.
Work on the other sections -- Kolkata-Mumbai, Kolkata-Chennai, Chennai-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai -- was planned in the second phase, they said.
On the 'upgradation' scheme, ministry sources said, there are over 650 trains which have waiting lists of at least 500 which could be gainfully utilised under the upgradation scheme from 'Sleeper-to-3AC-to -2AC to-IAC.'
The Budget 2006-7 may also implement Passenger-Profile Management Scheme under which a bogie can be added or deleted from trains depending upon demand of passengers traffic.
The minister may also announce a 'Frequent Traveller Scheme' in the budget which will facilitate the frequent railway passenger to get 'bonus points' for travel.
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