As Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee finished presenting her first Rail Budget for the UPA government on Friday, Chandigarh had more than one reasons to celebrate.

Besides announcing a proposed rail link connecting Chandigarh with Jagadhri and Yamunanagar, the Railway Minister also included the city in the list of 50 stations that will be upgraded to world-class standards on a public-private-partnership model.

“It is a people-friendly budget. Chandigarh will be developed as a world-class railway station with international facilities. The proposal has been accepted after a long wait,” said Ambala Divisional Railway Manager H K Jaggi.

Also, the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh town weekly special train (0534) has been given the status of a ‘regular’ train, It will, henceforth, run permanently on the route. Jaggi added that the Ambala station and Ambala Cantonment station would be en route two new trains—Amritsar-Sealdah Express and Sri Ganga Nagar-Nanded Express.

The reduction in ‘Tatkal’ charges from Rs 150 to Rs 100 has also generated a good response from city residents.

On the proposal to make doctors available onboard long-distance trains, Station Superintendent R K Datta said: “It is a good move as long journeys in trains like Kerala Smapark Kranti Express can sometimes prove risky for the ailing and the elderly.”

Sops for Kalka
A Rs-5 crore budget has been sanctioned for the Kalka railway station. Besides, it will get a new platform and a modern signalling system.

New link to Yamunanagar
Residents of Jagadhri, Yamunanagar, Sadhaura, Naraingarh and other areas have welcomed the announcement of a new line from Chandigarh to Yamunanagar. Ambala MP and Union Minister Kumari Selja said the foundation stone for the new line would be laid shortly so that work could start at the earliest.