Mumbai: India’s Railway Budget 2015 is being looked at with curiosity, since no fare hikes or new trains have been announced.

However, every rail traveller is hoping for an improved travel experience after Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu proposed several initiatives for more amenities.

Many have reacted with some reservation over the minister’s proposals which they think is not too clear-cut or specific on several initiatives.

“Prabhu has spelt out many facilities to make Indian Railways modern, but I have my own doubts over implementation of these ideas since there is no increase in fares to raise revenue,” said Dr S.J. Garg, President of the Railway Passenger and Traffic Relief Association, a 100-year-old organisation.

Across the rail travelling community, the top priority has been to get more trains for the ever-increasing passenger volumes, he said, “but this is missing altogether.”

Garg isn’t convinced with the oft-announced introduction of the air-conditioned suburban trains “which we opposed at the outset since it would carry only about 300-400 passengers as compared to the normal trains that carry over 4,000 commuters at a time.”

Despite the budget being a let-down on many fronts, Garg praised Prabhu as being the first and only railway minister who has indicated the significance of Indian Railways being environment-friendly since the trains use just one-sixth of the fuel burnt on the country’s road transport.

Concerned commuter Anil Shah who is on a rail committee of the Bharatiya Rail Pravasi Mahasangh expressed deep disappointment over the low priority given to safety issues.

“Despite several accidents on Mumbai’s tracks and the delay in providing medical care to the injured, no effort has been given to ambulance services for emergencies.”

Many suburban commuters were disappointed that Prabhu, who is from Mumbai and Maharashtra, has ignored the expectations of Mumbaikars.

For the young office-going public who are enjoying the benefits of Mumbai’s air-conditioned metro, “An AC train as announced by the minister is a good move provided the commuters can enjoy this comfort during this year and not hear about it again in the next rail budget,” said Ashwini S., who works in a bank.

“I’m glad the rail budget has given priority to safety of women on trains by installing surveillance cameras, though on a pilot basis, in selected mainline coaches and ladies’ compartments of suburban coaches without compromising on privacy,” said Asha Kumar, employed in a private firm.

Even the dedicated toll-number 182 for receiving security related complaints is a welcome move, observers said. Additionally, an all-India number 138 would become functional to attend to the problems of passengers.

However, Shah said safety of women needed more than just surveillance cameras.

There would still be danger if a criminal entered the compartment when a woman is alone and that is why, “Railway police should be deployed in ladies’ compartments not just at night but even during the day.”

Many women appreciated the manner in which the minister showed concern for women, the elderly and differently-abled people whose needs have been taken into account. Prabhu’s proposal that the “middle berth in three-tier class would be reserved for women and senior citizens” is a thoughtful move, one commuter said.

Meanwhile, Right To Information activist Anil Galgali said: “The budget has made fools of us, Mumbaikars. Air-conditined local trains is an old promise.

“There is no reference to the Virar-Churchgate and CST-Panvel elevated corridor. Today, Mumbai needs an additional 50 trains for its central, western and Harbour local services but the budget has ignored it completely.”

He also said the government should in fact have reduced rail fares since the international price of diesel has fallen. But this has not happened.