This refers to the editorial, “Green signal to change” (February 27). Marking a departure from his predecessors, Mr Suresh Prabhu's maiden Railway Budget did not comprise the usual laundry list of new trains. Instead, it promised to make rail travel a happy experience. He, however, said new trains would be announced only after the completion of a review that is underway to know the capacity of various routes — a clear indication that the Narendra Modi Government is not prepared to succumb to the populist urge of previous coalition Governments.
The tenor of Mr Prabhu's speech had a touch of lightness and no histrionics. Given his reputation for honesty and efficiency, and the support he has of the Prime Minister, who is keen on turning around Indian Railways, one would like to believe that the change the Railways Minister is planning may actually happen. But with public expectations running high, he will have to act fast.