Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has said she will stress on ensuring safety and better amenities for passengers while presenting the railway budget next month.

The Trinamool Congress chief also said there should be transparency in the process of hike in oil prices and her party reserves the right to speak up despite being in the Congress-led UPA government.

Speaking to a private TV news channel on Sunday night, Banerjee said: “The Railways have two sides — a commercial and a human face — we have to maintain both. I will look after the interests of the people,” she said.

Does she stand the risk of being dubbed a regional railway minister if she looks after the interests of Bengal more than the rest of the country? Banerjee said: “I will look after the interests of people across the country and at the same time the people of the state as much as possible.”

“Bengal has been neglected for years though 41 MPs belonging to the Left and Congress had represented the state in the 14th Lok Sabha. I would help implement various projects in my state,” she said.