No Hike In Fares In Suresh Prabhu's Customer-Focused Budget

In Suresh Prabhu's rail budget speech, read at bullet-train speed on Thursday morning, customer comfort and satisfaction were high-density keywords. The Railway Minister began his speech with the promise that it "reflects the aspirations of the people." With elections due in five states, the minster is walking the tightrope between populist measures and the cash-strapped Railways' urgent need for finances to fund modernisation and better passenger facilities. (Video Courtesy: Lok Sabha TV)