India’s Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today tabled the annual Railway Budget in the Lok Sabha and while their was something for everyone, minority groups, the disadvantaged and the poor – along with home electorate of West Bengal – were the big winners.

After having achieved a resounding victory in the recent national elections, the Trinamool Congress chief rammed home her intentions to rid the state of the Marxist Communist Party of India domination by nominating West Bengal as the location for manufacturing 500 state-of-the-art coaches annually.

In delivering her third railway budget after a nine year break from the role, the minister also signaled that Congress intends to woo minority groups by providing greater access to women and the economically backward in railway recruitment.

In addition, a new scheme called ‘Ijjat‘ for low income monthly travel is to be introduced, while cold storage depots for farmers to store vegetables and fruits are to be established and the student concession scheme extended to students of Islamic institutions, as well as increased to a discount of 60 percent on the Kolkata Metro.

Banerjee said seven nursing colleges will set up on railway land in places including Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai to provide employment to railway spouses, railway medical colleges developed along with rail hospitals on a public-private partnership, while women only trains will be introduced during peak periods.

The minister said the freight target for the 2009-10 year had been set at 882 million tonnes, and noted that there had been a five percent increase in volume in the 2008-09 period.

Banerjee said the railways will not be guided by economic viability, but by social commitment. To this end there will be no increase in passenger fares or freight tariffs in the current year.

In addition to announcing an increase in the number of ATMs and 50 mobile rail ticket vans, Banajee also announced that 12 non-stop trains will be introduced, the Kolkata metro will be extended, and air-conditioned double-decker trains will be introduced for inter-city travel.

Further, one doctor will be posted on each long distance train, while “janta khana”, or food of the people, will be available at all railway stations.

The government also plans to develop 50 world-class stations on a public-private partnership model, and Banerjee said the private operation of freight terminals will be encouraged.

Banerjee also said 309 stations will be developed with modern facilities, security increased at 140 vulnerable stations, while 50 stations at tourist and religious locations will receive integrated facilities and infotainment technology improved on the Rajdhani Express for long distance passengers.

New superfast parcel express trains will be introduced on a pilot basis between Delhi and Chennai and Delhi and Mumbai, while a premium parcel service will also operate between the three cities.

A total of Rs1,102 crore has been allocated to improving passenger amenities overall she said.

The Railway Budget seemed to have struck a cord with the business sector with the Sensex moving up 133 points in afternoon trade.