Full text: Suresh Prabhu presents Rail Budget 2015, focuses on 4 goals for growth

Presenting the first full-fledged Rail budget of the Modi government for 2015-16 on Thursday, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu focussed on modernisation of the railway industry and transforming it into a tech-friendly industry.

At the same time, Prabhu spared passengers from any hike in fares but made changes in freight rates to rake in more money while ruling out privatisation.

Prabu also did not announce any new trains, saying that a review was on about the capacity to add more trains which will be announced after the review is over.

In the hour-long speech, Prabhu unveiled the thrust areas as the national carrier to become the prime mover of economy again, resource mobilisation for higher investments, decongestion of heavy routes and speeding up of trains, passenger amenities and safety.

Here is the full text of Prabhu’s speech:

(With inputs from PTI)