Friday, February 24 2006 18:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Describing the Rail Budget as "forward-looking", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Feb 24 2006) said concerns of Left parties and other members will be addressed if they have merit in them.

"Concerns of members will be addressed. We are amenable to consider the concerns if they have merit in them," he told sources after Railway Minister Lalu Prasad presented the Budget in the Lok Sabha.

The Prime Minister was replying to a question on concerns expressed by Left parties which have protested against the East-West Freight Corridor going from Ludhiana to Sonmagar in Bihar as against Delhi to Kolkata announced by the Prime Minister earlier.

On generation of funds for the Rs 22,00 freight corridor, Singh said resources will be raised internally and from the market and the Japanese Government will also be approached for assistance.

Lauding Prasad for the "forward-looking" budget without putting the burden on the common man, Singh said the Railways were back on track and improved financially like never before as it did in the last two years.

The Prime Minister said a large number of projects have been provided in the budget with the Railways becoming a national enterprise. "The Budget proposals will provide necessary growth and modernisation," he said.

He said better amenities and facilities would be provided to passengers without imposing any burden on the common man.

Singh said the Railways have improved under the "visionary and determined" leadership of Prasad.