Residents hope Ludhiana will make it to the list of 50 ‘world class’ railway stations proposed by Mamata

As Union railway Minister Mamata Banerjee presented her first Budget for the UPA on Friday, a hopeful Ludhiana was glued to television sets. And with concessions for students, special schemes for the poor and no hike in fares, the residents were not left disappointed.

“It is a good budget keeping in mind the financial slowdown that has hit all sectors in some way or the other,” said Manoj, a teacher with a Mandi Gobindgarh school.

Besides no hike in fare or freight charges and a reduction in Tatkal charges from Rs 150 to Rs 100, the ‘Izzat’ scheme enables people with monthly income less than Rs 1,500 to travel up to 100 kilometre on a monthly season ticket of Rs 25.

“I travel from Moga to Ludhiana thrice a week. The scheme will immensely benefit me,” said Ram Pal, a daily wager.

The decision to construct ramps for the physically challenged and introduce special coaches for the elderly has generated a positive feedback from residents here.

“We expect the station to be in the list of 50 to be developed as world-class stations. Even if it fails to make the cut there, it will definitely qualify for the ‘adarsh station’,” said Station Superintendent R K Sharma.

Divisional traffic manager G P Singh added that the budget has brought a lot of relief to the poor.