Trivedi to present maiden Rail Budget today

"Rail Budget is going to be like whatever it should be," Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi said in New Delhi on Tuesday while giving finishing touches to the documents of budget 2012-13. Trivedi will present his maiden Rail Budget in the Lok Sabha after the question hour on Wednesday. Asked about the possibility of fare hike, which has not been touched since 2003, he declined to comment saying, "Tomorrow is the budget, no preview." There are speculations about the possibility of safety cess being imposed on train fares to mop up Rs 5,000 crore as recommended by Kakodkar Committee. Parliamentary committees, Planning Commission and railway unions have suggested fare hike in all classes to raise funds for the national transporter. Given the financial condition of railways, Trivedi has to make a tight ropewalk catering to the need of massive upgradation of rail infrastructure and also improving passenger amenities. Despite constraints, Trivedi could announce some new trains including a few for North-east region.