Date:09/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/09/stories/2008020953771300.htm

National

Budget will keep common man in mind, says Lalu

Jhabua (MP): The railway budget for the year 2008-09 will be ‘people-friendly,’ Railway Minister Lalu Prasad indicated on Friday.

“I will be presenting the rail budget on February 26 keeping the common man in mind,” the Minister said, after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stone of the Dahod-Indore and Chhota Udaipur-Dhar railway lines.

The project is expected to cost Rs. 1,286 crore. Madhya Pradesh Governor Balram Jakhar, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Ministers Kantilal Bhuriya, Suresh Pachouri and Naranjibhai Rathwa were present.

According to official sources, the 210 km-long Indore-Dahod will cost Rs. 679 crore, while 157 km-long Chhota Udaipur-Dhar rail line will cost Rs. 609 crore.

The Railway Minister also announced plans for setting up of a sleeper rail coach factory in the tribal region. —PTI