Rail Budget 2013: No new trains to tourist spots

CHANDIGARH: City residents, especially young professionals, were apparently left dejected with the railway budget which was presented in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. They rued that no new train was proposed to directly connect Chandigarh with Delhi or any tourist destinations like Goa and Darjeeling. People had also hoped for fast trains from Chandigarh to Delhi and to the commercial hub of Ludhiana.
"There is poor connectivity to famous tourist destinations in the south and east. Travel to these places is very tiresome. Direct trains to these places would have been a good step forward," said Rohit Ruhella, an MNC employee. Bank employee Mahima Chauhan said: "Many times, we wanted to visit Goa and Kochi but the plans were dropped due to no direct travel facilities. Since the railway minister belongs to Chandigarh, such things should have been kept in mind. We are disappointed."
Members of various associations even submitted a memorandum at Bansal's house raising demands like a fast train to Delhi and Ludhiana. Businessman Surjit Singh said: "I travel to Ludhiana every other day and road trips are exhausting."
Budget 2013
Rail Budget 2013
Economic Survey 2013