India Inc to Lalu: Pull ahead of populism, fuel growth in Budget

Populism may be the buzzword when Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav presents his budget on Tuesday, but India Inc is asking for some solid steps.

"It is time for Lalu to ponder why despite lower freight charges the railways is losing its share in cargo," said S P Singh, senior fellow, Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training. He suggested that the minister marshal resources to replace the rolling stock to ensure safety of cargo and passengers and also quicker delivery.

The railways earned around Rs 23,000 crore between April 2007 and January 2008 and this may give Yadav enough elbow room for a reduction in fares between three and eight per cent.

However, industrialists are asking for the money to be used in ramping up infrastructure. Ganesh Kumar Gupta, president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, wants the railways to complete the freight corridor which would help in reducing delivery time.

Rajeev Jyoti, MD of Bombardier said: "Railways should have its infrastructure like locomotives, wagons in huge numbers so that it is able to meet the demands of a growing economy."

Although Yadav has promised "a basket of comforts for the common passengers", Assocham president Venugopal N. Dhoot wants an EoG (End on Generation) system installed in


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