Passengers cross the tracks at Ultadanga Station in Kolkata. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has proposed better infrastructure in railway stations. (PTI Photo)
The Indian Railway budget on Thursday drew criticism from within the ruling alliance with NDA constituent Shiv Sena claiming that it lacked clarity on how the money will come for the various projects.
"We are completely dissatisfied with the budget. They have said so many things in the budget. But from where will the money come?," senior Shiv Sena leader and North-west Mumbai Member of Parliament Gajanan Kirtikar said, adding that the budget has kept everyone in "the dark".
Despite a patch-up post the Maharashtra Assembly polls, Shiv Sena has been taking a stance against the BJP on several issues, including the Land Acquisition Bill, reflecting the unease in ties. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had quit Shiv Sena to join the BJP before his induction in the Narenda Modi Cabinet.
"He (railway minister) is talking about raising the height of platforms which requires Rs 97 crore. One has to allot money for these projects at one go if they have to be completed. They are talking about tripling and doubling lines, but which lines will they undertake work on. They have kept us in the dark," Mr Kirtikar said.
Chandrakant Khaire, Shiv Sena Member of Parliament from Aurangabad, said "the budget is good, but difficult to understand".
"People will ask us what has the region got from the budget? Now one has to read the budget and then come up with an explanation," Mr Khaire said.