Mumbai, which accounts for half the Indian Railways’ daily passenger load of 1.25 crore, was left with a familiar feeling on Friday: the railway budget had once again given th city a raw deal.

Passenger associations felt that Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, barring some symbolic gestures, had done little to boost the creaking suburban network that is the lifeline of the financial capital.

Rail officials in the city, however, pointed at what the city did get. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is one of the 50 stations chosen across the country to be developed as World Class Stations. The railway minister has also included 38 suburban stations to be developed as Adarsh (ideal) Stations, with facilities such as drinking water, catering service, waiting rooms and dormitories, especially for women passengers. The budget also includes a proposal to set up a factory at Kanchrapara-Halisdar with a capacity of 500 EMU/MEMU rakes.

Commuters were not impressed. “The budget is good for the country and the state but bad for the city. Even the Adarsh Station scheme was announced by Lalu Yadav in his budget but it has not happened,” said Madhu Kotain, president of the Mumbai Rail Pravasi Mahasangh. “We plan to protest,” said Shailendra Kamble, convenor Pravaasi Adhikar Andolan Samiti (PAAS).

Sanjay Nirupam, MP, praised the budget. “Mamata had assured me she would fulfil the city’s demands. Since the request was only restricted to Mumbai city, it has not found any mention in the budget. The new Izzat scheme for people of the unrecognised sector living below the poverty line will also help city commuters.” The scheme involves a concessionary monthly season ticket for Rs 25.

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