Sunday, February 19 2006 10:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Riding high on a revenue surplus this fiscal, the Rail Budget for 2006-07 is likely to slash freight rates by 20 per cent but leave passenger fares untouched and introduce common man's superfast 'Jan Sadharan' Express trains to several destinations.

The budget to be presented by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad on February 24 is widely expected to contain a slew of measures to improve passenger amenities and safety to benefit 'Aam Aadmi' (common man) as the year 2006-07 is being declared as 'year of passenger'.

The new initiatives will include introduction of Jan Sadharan Express trains along the lines of Jan Sampark Kranti introduced last year and upgradation of about 400 Express/Mail trains as Superfast to meet the growing needs of the people across the country.

The Railway Minister himself had indicated on several occasions that there may not be any hike in passenger fares.

Rather his concentration and priorities would be to provide more facilities to its consumers, more particularly the 'Aam Aadmi' (common man) he has not ruled out cheaper AC trains for them.

Asked specifically as to what would be the message of the Rail Budget 2006-07, the Minister has said, "Railway is now the preferred choice for travellers Railway is growing faster than the national economy".

Indicating what the 2006-07 Railway budget would be, Prasad had said "we have to do a great deal in improving our performance in 'touch and feel' areas. We should try to win the hearts of our esteemed passengers by setting new standards of punctuality, cleanliness, lights, safe drinking water and quality food among other things.