Tags: Rail budget , Mamata Banerjee

New Delhi: Leaving passenger fares and freight tariffs unchanged, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today unveiled a slew of sops for unorganised sector, women and youth and announced launch of 12 non-stop point-to-point long-distance trains and air-conditioned double-decker coaches for inter-city travel.

In a thanksgiving budget for 2009-10 after the UPA's return to power, she announced schemes for developing 50 stations as world class stations, upgrading 375 as 'model' stations and construction of multi-functional complexes at 50 stations serving centres of pilgrimage, tourist interest and industry.

The complexes will have shopping facilities, food stalls and budget hotels.

Called 'Izzat' (dignity), the scheme for unorganised sector will entitle people with monthly income of upto Rs 1500 to a monthly season ticket at a paltry Rs 25 for travel upto 100 kms. She also announced sops for students of Madrassas and Kolkata by extending concessional travel to them.

For women, Banerjee proposed to run 'Only Ladies' EMU trains in Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata on the lines of those in Mumbai during office hours in suburban services. Women RPF personnel would be deployed for security of women passengers in trains. .

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