New Delhi: Describing the Railway Budget as "common man-friendly", Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on February 26 said it would help propel economic development in the country.

"Before the Budget, there were apprehensions that passenger fares and freight rates would be hiked, which would hit the common man. But all these fears have been dispelled," Vajpayee told reporters.

He said the Budget proposals would bolster the economy and help in taking forward the process of economic reforms.

"It will bring relief to the common man", and also benefit the industry and trade, Vajpayee said.

The Budget presented by Railway Minister Nitish Kumar was a "symbol of efficiency" of his government, he said.

He said it would help implement various projects, adding there was sufficient leeway in the Budget for further improvement.

"Wherever it was necessary, the fares have increased, but this will have no impact on the common people," he said.

PTI