New Delhi: Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had introduced the Rail Budget of Prime Minister Narendra Modi led NDA government. Amid ruckus over various issues including Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu’s remark over Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and government’s land acquisition act, bill had been introduced.
In a 70-minute speech that carried the distinct imprint of Prime Minister Narendra Modi – Mr Prabhu referenced his pet schemes like Swachch Bharat, Digital India and Make in India – the rail minister emphasised that the “vicious cycle of underinvestment” must end in the bleeding Railways.
He said, “Railways facilities have not improved substantially for the past few decades which is the result of under-investment that affects capacity, leading to poor morale. This fed into a vicious cycle of chronic under-investment for a long time.”
The main points of Prabhu’s Budget had been given below.
While beginning the Budget, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in funny way said, “Hey Prabhu yeh kaise hoga” on Railway turnaround.
- Suresh Prabhu said we must restore the strength of Bharatiya Railway as the backbone of India.
- No increase in rail fare.
- Railways to go through transformation in five years; to increase track capacity by 10 per cent to 1.38 lakh kms.
- Railway helpline number 138 will become operational for 24×7.
- Disposable linen on payment to be available at all stations.
- Toll free number 182 created for security related complaints.
- Introduction of ‘Operation 5-minute’ to ensure ticketless passenger get regular ticket within five minute of entering station.
- SMS alert service to be introduced on train arrival anddeparture; CCTVs to be introduced in selective trains and suburban trains for women safety.
- More general class coaches to be added in identified trains; more AC EMU services for Mumbai suburban section.
- Open wi-fi to be available at 400 railway stations; proposal to revamp the station re-development scheme.
- Projects worth Rs 96,182 crore to expand capacity of 9,420 km rail lines.
- Tickets can now be booked 120 days ahead of travel date, instead of 60 days now, to tackle tout menace.
- Four dedicated freight corridors to be completed this year; 6608 kms of track to be electrified.
- Wagon-making scheme to be reviewed to make it easier for private investment; Speed on nine corridors to be increased from 110-130 to 160-200 kms per hour.
- Feasibility report of high speed train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad expected by mid-2015.
- Preparing 5-year corporate safety plan to be ready in 3 months to identify annual quantifiable targets Rs 6,750 crore allocated for eliminating 3438 level crossings; 970 road-underbridge and road-overbridge to be constructed.
- Plan size raised by 52 per cent to Rs 111,000 crore.
- Suresh Prabhu announced no new trains in his Railway Budget today.
- 17000 more toilets would be replaced by bio-Toilets and new toilets would be built at 650 stations, to “transform” railway stations.
Bureau Report
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