Railway Budget of 2015-2016
Highlights of Suresh Prabhu’s Rail Budget 2015
The key themes of the Budget were in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives – Swachch Bharat Mission, Make in India and Digital India.
# The most-expected part about this year’s railway Budget – there is no increase in rail fares.
# ‘Operation 5 mins’, wherein passengers travelling unreserved can purchase a ticket in 5 minutes.
# 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.
# 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.
# Regulatory mechanism to be set up for deciding on tariff and disputes: Project worth Rs 2,500 crore using BOT annuity route to be launched.
# Surveillance cameras in select coaches and ladies compartments for women’s safety without compromising on privacy.
# Four Railway Research Centres to start in four universities.
# Details about new trains and increased frequency will be announced later in this session of Parliament after review.
# Food can be ordered from IRCTC website.
# A Mobile application to address complaints of people is also being developed.
# Clean drinking water at low cost at railway stations.
# facility of online booking of wheelchair for senior citizens.