Railway Budget: Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh welcomes "out-of-box" budget

RAIPUR: Chief Minister Raman Singh today hailed the railway budget as 'out-of-box' and said the provision of cargo centres for farmers will beneficial for the agrarian states like Chhattisgarh.

"The railway budget of Central Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is based on security and facility of common people, which will yield positive results in days to come," Singh said in a statement.

"I congratulate PM Modi and Railways Minister (Suresh) Prabhu for presenting the out-of-box budget, which will help in development and expansion of passenger facilities with the use of modern technology," he said.

The railway budget is balanced, optimistic, appreciable and positive, the CM said, adding that no hike in railway fares will be helpful in controlling inflation.

"The provision of cargo centres for farmers will prove largely beneficial for the agrarian states like Chhattisgarh," Singh said.

This budget will promote modernisation of railway through innovations, which will further improve railway management, catalysing the development of nation, the statement quoted him as saying.

The Railway's scheme to facilitate 17,000 bio-toilets and vacuum toilets will benefit the entire nation including Chhattisgarh and will also contribute in achieving the goals of 'Clean India' and 'Clean Chhattisgarh' campaigns, he said.

Keeping in view the vision of 'Digital India', the provision of 400 wi-fi stations has been included under the budget, which will prove beneficial for Chhattisgarh in future, the CM said.

Facility of current ticket on smart phone, railway booking before last five minutes, toll-free helpline numbers for security and facility of passengers, CCTV cameras in bogies for women security, alert system on unmanned gates are some of the commendable provisions in the budget, he added.