Ranchi, July 3: Railway minister Mamata Banerjee has evoked a positive response from passengers, organisations and politicians of the state capital.

Arun Tiwari, general secretary, Chhotanagpur Passenger Association (CPA), appreciated the new plans announced by the railway minister, especially janta khana (good food for less). He also welcomed the non-stop trains that would connect important cities across the state, but had doubts on the durability factor. “Moves for social responsibility, security and passenger amenities were good initiatives, too,” he added. So were the mobile vans, which will take ticket bookings to the doorstep of passengers.

“More than anything else, Mamata’s decision to maintain passenger fares is highly appreciable,” said Ashok Nagpal, secretary of CPA (Ranchi unit).

However, Tiwary pointed out that the budget was clearly a “rail Bengal” budget. “If one analyses the routes of the new trains announced, at least 50 of 57 have a Bengal connection. She is trying to appease the voters there,” he said.

But the business community of the state capital is happy with the connecting trains to Howrah.

“Ranchi-Howrah Intercity is a day train and now one can go to Calcutta and return on the same day,” said Sajjan Saraf, the secretary-general of Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI).

The student community of the region, however, expected more goodies from Mamata like trains connecting Ranchi and Pune.

Union food processing minister Subodh Kant Sahay expressed his gratitude to the railway minister for the new trains and upgradation plans. He said the budget is pro-poor and has satisfied the people of the region.

State Congress president Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu also appreciated the budget and said it focused on the needs of the common man.

Jyotirmoy Choudhary, the working president, Trinamul Congress (Jharkhand) said that the new initiatives of the railway minister would help the people of the region.