CICU Gives Mix Reaction on Railway Budget 2016-17

Ludhiana, February 25, 2016: Sh.Avtar Singh President and Sh.Upkar Singh Ahuja, General Secretary, Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU), Ludhiana have given mixed reaction on the Railway Budget (2016-17).
In a statement today, they appreciated the because there was no hike in railway passenger fares, several new trains announced, major stations to be brought under CCTV surveillance, GPS based display units in coaches, overnight double Decker trains to be introduced on all business routes, 33% sub quota for women under all reserved categories, 50% reservation for senior citizens in lower births and 1600 kms of electrification this year and 2000 kms for the next purposed year.
However they have condemned it because they said new freight corridors announced exclusively in Southern Region only. This will take off only if infrastructure is improved in the long term, no new train is introduced in Punjab Region, adequate measures not introduced to increase present 10% transportation through Railway in India as compare to 70% Europe, concessional Freight not introduced for the benefits of Manufacturing Industry to boost export and Railway is looking at an operating ratio of 92% which can only be achieved if adequate measures are implemented on cost savings.
They have urged upon Sh.Suresh Prabhu, Railway Minister for providing confessional freight to Punjab Industry being a border State.