As Union railway Minister Mamata Banerjee presented her first Budget for the UPA on Friday, a hopeful Ludhiana was glued to television sets. And with concessions for students, special schemes for the poor and no hike in fares, the residents were not left disappointed.

“It is a good budget keeping in mind the financial slowdown that has hit all sectors in some way or the other,” said Manoj, a teacher with a Mandi Gobindgarh school.

Besides no hike in fare or freight charges and a reduction in Tatkal charges from Rs 150 to Rs 100, the ‘Izzat’ scheme enables people with monthly income less than Rs 1,500 to travel up to 100 kilometre on a monthly season ticket of Rs 25.

“I travel from Moga to Ludhiana thrice a week. The scheme will immensely benefit me,” said Ram Pal, a daily wager.

The decision to construct ramps for the physically challenged and introduce special coaches for the elderly has generated a positive feedback from residents here.

“We expect the station to be in the list of 50 to be developed as world-class stations. Even if it fails to make the cut there, it will definitely qualify for the ‘adarsh station’,” said Station Superintendent R K Sharma.