Chief Minister Karunanidhi appreciated Central Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee for the 2009-2010 railway budget that largely favors the ordinary citizens without burdening them with increased costs. At the same time, General Secretary of AIADMK Jayalalitha expressed her discontent with the proposed budget which is brainwashing but won't be fruitful and prepared without fore-thought by the minister.

According to Karunanidhi's statement, the railway minister Mamta deserves accolades for keeping the tariff as same which would considerably favor the poor population. The freight charges will be a boon for traders and increase the number of goods transported through railways. Additional setup of restaurants, eateries, commodity shops and retiring rooms at Madurai, Kanyakumari, Rameswaram and Trichy will leverage the facilities for the passengers of the region. The proposed foot over bridges and the express train from Chennai to Delhi is a welcome change.

Unchanged charges for passengers and freight are commendable but the railway budget seems to be prepared hastily without fore-thought. Budget has not been reserved for building bridges, adding more compartments and setting up of metro trains in metropolitan cities. Even though initially the budget appears to be wrapped up in glittering wrapper, on long term basis it would not improve the quality of the railway department. Providing drinking water, edible quality food and resting areas are still inadequate that had been overshadowed in the budget. This will not favor the poor people on the whole, said Jayalalitha in her press release.