Nitish Kumar hints at 'difficult' Railway Budget

new delhi: hinting that the railway budget for 2002-03 could be ''difficult'', railway minister nitish kumar on tuesday said the railways was facing a daunting task of mobilising funds for various projects without much budgetary support. noting that the budgetary support of rs 3540 crore to his ministry in 2001-20002 was "very small" to meet a whopping rs 38,000 crore funding for various projects, kumar acknowledged that presenting the budget was an arduous task. kumar was talking to reporters here on the sidelines of signing of a memorandum of understanding for accelerated and time-bound development of railway projects in jharkhand. "it is a difficult task to present the railway budget. expectations are high in every quarters and it is difficult to keep everyone in good humour," he said, adding the budget would, however, be good for everybody, for the people, for the country and for the railways. the railway minister parried questions whether there would be hike in passenger fares saying the document was being finalised and not much time was left for the budget presentation. to a question on cross-subsidy, he said "let us see. wait till february 26 (when the railway budget will be presented in parliament)". on the thrust areas of the budget, he said efforts would be made to keep in mind the projects being launched on the first year of the 10th plan and special emphasis would be laid on rail safety.