Team Herald
PANJIM: While the decision to increase the speed of trains to 160-200 km in select sectors like Mumbai-Goa has been perceived as a step in the right direction, the Railway Budget presented yesterday has evoked a mixed response from the corporate world in Goa.
In a statement released by the GCCI , the body felt the budget was a reflection of Prime Minister’s Modi’s vision of modernising the Indian Railways and making it the best and biggest freight carrier in the world. It welcomed the move to have a special freight corridor in the eastern and western sectors thus increasing the connectivity between the ports, as this would help the industry. Special freight terminuses, with facilities like cold storages will help transport of fruits and vegetables will benefit the farmers.
The express train it was felt would boost tourism by promoting various tourist circuits. Prime Minister Modi plans to develop various ports including Goa’s Mormugao harbour as a part of ‘Project Sagarmala’ & the Railway Minister’s plans to provide connectivity to all these ports will vastly improve Goa’s connectivity with all the major cities in coastal India.
The body went on to laud the Modi Government’s decision to focus on infrastructure development and support his belief that the Indian Railways have to be both socially as well as commercially viable.
The decision to focus on providing better amenities to railway users and ensuring passenger safety, including the special focus on safety of women travellers was commended.
The Railway Minister has in no uncertain terms emphasised on hygiene in the trains and we feel that this will certainly have a strong bearing on tourism in the entire country. We also welcome the Government’s decision on privatisation and FDI in the Railways.
The Chairman of the state chapter of the CII and CEO of Magson, Kirit Maganlal however felt the railway minister may have over indulged himself in his enthusiasm. He said “While the Budget is very pleasing to hear and futuristic to read, there are a number of ground realities that need to be addressed. With the Govt’s wishes of India becoming one of the world’s largest cargo carriers, I hope Goa’s hopes for an alternate freight corridor becomes a reality soon.”
Another corporate captain Nitin Kunkolienkar, VP of MAIT said the decision to express trains had to be commended since it would be a further boost to the tourism industry in the state. He however expressed his disappointment at the absence of a fund for railway innovation which was a reality in China.
Atul Jadhav , President of Goa Barge Association felt it was good that FDI could now come into the railways and felt it was important to keep politics out of the railways and it was good that fuel costs would be passed on to the users.
