Cochin Chamber of Commerce welcomes railway budget

Kochi, Feb 26 (PTI): Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry today welcomed the Railawy budget saying cleanliness and better amenties are the prime focus area of this year's exercise. The introduction of bio toilets in train coaches, clean train stations, setting up of water bottling plants, pilot project to let passengers contact housekeeping staff through SMS for coach cleanliness, setting up of mechanised laundries and stress on safety of women passengers were commendable. The chamber said it welcomed the decision not to hike passenger fares, but the five per cent hike in freight rate would cause hardhships. It also hailed the decision to introduce 67 new express trains and 26 new passenger trains. The proposed coach factory at Palakkad has once again found mention in the budget, it said hoping it would materialise this time. PTI UD VS