Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, presenting the Rail Budget for 2007-08 announced an increase in unreserved second class coaches from four to six in every new train and efforts to increase the same in the existing trains also.
Among the initiatives in passenger amenities, he spoke of introduction of facilities for reservation of lower berths for senior citizens and women above 45 years travelling alone and increase in provision of special coaches for physically challenged passengers.
Prasad said that a concession of 50 per cent in second class for candidates appearing for main written examination conducted by the SSC and UPSC.
The budget also promised to introduce vendor coaches for sections frequented by milk and vegetable vendors and other retail sellers.
He said more convenient, comfortable and high capacity new design passenger coaches would be manufactured.
Prasad said 300 more stations would be developed as modern stations and declared 2007 as "cleanliness year". He said special campaign would be held to ensure cleanliness in station complexes, passenger trains, railway lines and waiting rooms.
