Railway Budget 2016: Suresh Prabhu arrives at Parliament; to present shortly

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, who left his residence for the Parliament this morning to present the Rail Budget for 2016-17, said they have prepared the budget taking into consideration the concerns and hopes of the people, adding that they would succeed in fulfilling the expectations of the nation.

"The entire country has great expectations and hopes from the railways. Besides, the people have their own concerns and problems as well. Hence, we have prepared the budget taking into account their hopes and aspirations from the railways," Prabhu told reporters outside his official 12, Akbar Road, residence here.

"I hope that we will be successful in fulfilling their expectations," he said. Prabhu later posed for the media along with Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha ahead of presenting his second Railway Budget in the Parliament.

The people's expectations are high about the announcement of new trains and improvement in passenger amenities, while railway finances have come under tremendous strain as passenger fares was not hiked in the last budget and the minister faces a dilemma whether to raise fares and freight rates.

The railways have earned over Rs 1,36,079 crore as against the target of Rs 1,41,416 crore during April-January, a decline of 3.77%. Talking to reporters after giving finishing touches to the budget on Wednesday, Prabhu had said the Rail Budget will cater to the needs of all satisfactorily as a lot of effort has gone into its preparation. "It has been prepared in the interest of the nation and the railways taking into considerations the ground reality consideration before finalising it," he added.