Mamata Banerjee's gravy train has started rolling and in a please all budget, there are quite a lot of ‘aam aadmi’ schemes and a clear focus on West Bengal.

While this may keep many of her voters happy, railways finances may come under severe stress.

The Railways Minister did not waste any time in making her intentions clear. This budget was not about cost cutting, but about delivering more to the ‘aam aadmi’. Whatever it takes, their interest was prime.

So, there was no change in passenger fares or freight rates, but lots of sops, which should make the vote bank happy, including season tickets for the poor that cost just Rs 25 for travel upto 100 km, 12 non-stop trains between important cities and 57 new trains to be added. Also, proposals that tickets to be sold at 5000 post offices, air-conditioned double-decker intercity trains low cost youth trains formed part of the Rail Budget.

Apart from these, there were several measures, which will try and turn 50 railway stations into world class. Lots of intent indeed, but once again, the question is whether Banerjee will be able to implement these changes.

However, like every year, the Railway Budget does continue to focus on the home state.

But no hike in passenger or freight rates will mean pressure on railways finances and even though the railways may get Rs 5000 crore budgetary support, its operating ratio will only deteriorate further, something that could seriously hamper railways efforts to replace its much used infrastructure.