Though budgetary allocations have turned out to be "way below the expectations", passengers can look forward to improved amenities and better condition of stations in the Capital, a new terminal near the Delhi airport and a revamped rail museum.
Though the rail budget offers only
Rs. 100 crore for stations in the Capital, the railway ministry has not completely shelved the concept of a world-class station in Delhi.
Delhi's hopes for getting three executive lounges - on the lines of one that has been developed at the New Delhi station - were dashed on Tuesday.
The other highlights of rail budget 2013 include elimination of unmanned level crossings, sprucing up the Railway Protection Force for the safety of passengers especially women, deployment of a new anti-collision system.
Catering to increasing demand for higher travel comfort, the railways will introduce swanky new coaches offering excellent ambience, and latest modern facilities and services in select trains, railway minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said Tuesday.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday described the rail budget as "disappointing" and alleged that while Congress ruled states were given sops other states including Bihar have been neglected.
Though the Railway Minister did not propose any increase in basic rail fares, the hike in reservation fees and supplementary charges will mean an increase of
Rs. 5 to
Rs. 25 in fares for all classes in superfast trains.
Stressing the safety of women travelling on trains, railway minister Pawan Kumar Bansal announces a slew of measures including raising of eight new companies of women Railway Protection Force.
Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal on Tuesday announced 106 new trains, including 67 express trains and 26 passenger trains, in the railway budget for 2013-14.
The main opposition party, the BJP, terms the rail budget as a "Rae Bareli budget" and says the railways minister ignored NDA-ruled states.
Terming the railway budget for 2012-13 as "practical and implementable", finance minister P Chidambaram today said that his cabinet colleague Pawan Kumar Bansal has presented the finances of the railways in a very candid manner.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today described the railway budget as "reformist" and "forward looking" and said it will help in meeting competing demands.
Part 1: Rail budget highlights 
Highlights of the railway budget presented in the Lok Sabha Tuesday by Union railway minister Pawan Kumar Bansal.