Highlights of Railway budget 2015

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in his first Rail Budget announced a record investment plan of over Rs. 1 lakh crore in 2015-16 while sparing the passengers of a fare hike. The chartered accountant-turned politician also proposed a number of steps to increase passenger amenities.

Highlights of Mr Prabhu's Speech

• No increase in passenger fares

• No new trains announced

• Tickets can be booked 120 days in advance instead of 60 days to tackle tout menace

• Outlay for passenger amenities increased by 67%

• Plan expenditure to go up to a record Rs. 1.1 lakh crore in 2015-16 from an estimated Rs. 61,500 crore in 2014-15.

• Central government to outlay likely to at 41 per cent (Rs.45,100 crore) in 2015-16

• We will introduce train sets saving 20% of journey time, similar to bullet trains in design, and that can run on existing tracks

• The speed passenger trains across nine corridors will be increased to 160-200 km from 110 km

• SMS alert to be introduced for train timings

• To introduce air-conditioned coaches for suburban trains

• Wi-Fi to be available at 400 railway stations

• To revamp station redevelopment policy completely

• To have bidding system for redevelopment of stations

• To develop 10 satellite railway stations this year

• 800 km of gauge conversion will be commissioned

• E-catering introduced in 108 trains, can order on IRCTC website

• To expand water vending machines on more stations

• On-board entertainment facility could be extended on Shatabdi trains

• Mobile charging stations will be introduced general class coaches

• More general class coaches will be added to select trains for benefit of the common man

• Railways plans to spend over Rs. 8 lakh crore over five years

• Pension funds, multi-lateral banks have evinced interest in Railways

• Proposed the best operating ratio in nine years, of 88.5 per cent for 2015-16

• Railways to go through transformation in five years; to increase track capacity by 10 per cent to 1.38 lakh km

• Feasibility report of high speed train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad expected by mid-2015

• Wagon-making scheme to be reviewed to make it easier for private investment

• To improve cleanliness & design of bed linen

• All India 24x7 grievances helpline 138 to start soon

• 7,000 more toilets to be replaced by Bio-Toilets, New toilets at 650 stations, more vacuum toilets

• Passenger travelling unreserved can procure a ticket within 5 minutes

• Mobile application to address complaints of people is also being developed

• Introduction of integrated ticketing will be done

• Hand-held devices for ticket checkers for moving towards paperless ticketing

• Centrally managed railway display network in over 2000 stations in next 2 years

• Railways will play a big role in socio-economic development of the country

• Railways carry a big burden of expectations

• Investments in railways will have multiplier effect

• Railways facilities have not improved significantly over last few years

• The cycle of under-investment should end

• Railways has to regain in share in freight traffic

• Railways aims to deliver a sustainable improvement in customer experience and make rail a safer means of travel

• Objective is to make Railways self-sustainable

• Rail-cum-road ticket to be extended to many stations

• We are committed to provide rail connectivity to North Eastern states

• Transport Logistic Corporation of India to be set up to aid expanding freight handling capacity and provide end-to-end logistic solutions

• PPP model will help to augment resources and generate more employment

• 6608 kms of track to be electrified

• Projects worth Rs. 96,182 crore to expand capacity of 9,420 km rail lines

• CCTVs to be introduced in select trains and suburban trains for women safety

• Train Protection Warning System, Train Collision Avoidance System

• Projects for rail connectivity to many ports and mines

• To monetize assets rather than sell them

• To set up full-fledged Railway University in FY16

• Rs.2000 crore for Coastal Connectivity Program; Rs.2500 crore through BOT/Annuity route

• Drawing up comprehensive policy to tap latent advertising potential

• Online application for all recruitment process

• To impart soft skills to our staff we intend to impart regular training

• 917 safety work projects to eliminate over 3,000 unmanned crossings in all states

• PPP cell to be revamped to make it result oriented

• Railways can't function as business as usual mode

• To set up infra fund, JV with IRFC for long-term funding