Didis Budget: Whats for IT?

It was undoubtedly one of Indias more populist railway budgets in recent
times with no hike either in passenger fares or freight. Several critics (mostly
those not from Bengal) other than the opposition would crib about the
excessive Bengal focus, but the fact of the matter is that every Railway
Minister from every state has always favored his/her home turf...but, at the end
of the day, even extra development of a particular state translates into
development of the nation.

So what is the role that IT or technology per se has been conceived to play
under Mamatas new Railway Budget? The highlight would be the decision to set up
mobile e-ticketing centers at universities, hospitals, courts, IITs, IIMs,
district headquarters and village panchayats. This is like killing three birds
with one stone. Considering how successful e-ticketing has been, it is still a
predominantly urban phenomenon. By taking it to the panchayat level, Mamata has
somewhat bridged the digital divide. Its also a tremendous fillip to e-commerce
in the country. Last but not the least, considering how Railways touches the
lives of every citizen and villager, this could help in Internet penetration
itself!

A Center for Railway Research would be coming up at IIT Kharagpur. Didi has
been very generous with new plants and her lergesse there extends beyond the
borders of Bengal. Work on the Rae Bareilli Coach Factory in UP would start
within a year, a Wagon Repair Shop to be set up near Badnera in Amravati in
Maharashtra, Integral Coach Factory in Chennai to be modernized and a new unit
to be set up there and, if land is available, a Diesel Multiple Unit Factory to
be set up in West Bengal. Besides, Railways would develop ten new automobile
hubsan ironic twist!

Extensive IT usage would also come in the modernization of ninety-three
railway stations as well as high-speed dedicated passenger corridors that are to
be constructed. The proposed setting up of the National High Speed Rail
Authority RFID for freight transport ... one could soon foresee a host of IT
vendors vying to bag those lucrative contracts.

Rajneesh De

rajneeshd@cybermedia.co.in