With Railways reeling under a financial crunch, the number of new trains to be announced in the Rail Budget is unlikely to be more than 100, much less than what is the normal practice every year.
Rail Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, who is considered to be pro-reform, is unlikely to announce many rail projects despite demands from states as several unfinished works are already languishing over the years due to lack of funds.
It has been a popular practice of the Railways to announce launching of about 150 to 180 new trains in its budget every year. About 160 trains were announced last year.
According to sources, Mr Prabhu may just take a different approach by not announcing too many new trains in his maiden budget speech and instead do it gradually over the course of the year.
There might also be a proposal to brand some of the trains in a move to generate additional funds.
The Railway Budget is also likely to have proposal for more unreserved trains with general second class coaches such as the 'Jan Sadharan Express' on popular routes to facilitate travel for the common man. Besides some popular destinations will be connected with new service as tourist trains.
Explained: Blueprint To Upgrade Industrial Training Institutes 772 New Train Services, 100 Vande Bharats, Began In 5 Years: Rail Minister Country On Track To Achieve 4.5% Fiscal Deficit, Says Finance Minister INDIA's "Hit With Footwear" Protest In Mumbai Over Shivaji Statue Collapse Celebrated "Russian Spy" Whale Hvaldimir Found Dead In Norway: Report "It's Mom, I Love You": Mother Of Israeli-American Found Dead In Gaza "Time This War Ended": Biden After Bodies Of 6 Hostages Found In Gaza Rain Fury Kills 10 In Andhra Pradesh, Several Districts Flooded Far-Right Could Win In Germany State Polls For The First Time Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.