Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on 26 February 2015 presented the Railway Budget 2015-16 in the Lok Sabha. Here are the highlights of Railway Budget 2015-16:
- No increase in Rail fares.
- No new trains announced.
- 5 Drivers to execute strategy of MR.
- Good governance emerges out of participative governance – people’s involvement very high with railways.
- Goal 1- Customer experience to receive a huge boost, Goal 2 – Safer Travel.
- Railway Minister says Over the next 5yrs railways has to go through a transformation.
- 10 satellite stations this year. Mumbai-Ahmedabah high speed trains.
- Tickets can now be booked 120 days ahead of travel date, instead of 60 days now.
- CCTV surveillance for women’s security and online booking of wheelchairs for senior citizens.
- A mechanism for making regulations, setting performance standards and tariffs to be setup.
- Corruption at all levels is affecting common man, we are working on solution to address this menace.
- Rs 6,750 crore allocated for eliminating 3438 level crossings 970 road-underbridge, road-overbridge.
- Skill development and self employment to be encouraged on Konkan Rly model.
- 1000MV Solar plants to be set-up by developers on Rly/Pvt. Land and on Rly Building at own cost.
- Rly to launch a coastal connectivity programme this year.
- Digitized mapping of Rail land initiated to counter Encroachment.
- Rly Plan size increased by 52%; 41.6% GBS; 17.8% internal generation.
- We will monetize our assets rather than selling them.
- Railways proposes to move from preventive to predictive maintenance.
- Railways to introduce technology portal to invite innovative solutions.
- JV with major public sector companies for meeting requirements of new lines.
- Decentralise, deregulate and delegate to make freight business simple.
- 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.
- Make in India opportunities – Speedier Railway – 9 hi-speed corridors, high speed trains.
- For high-speed trains on other routes on the diamond quadrilateral studies being commissioned; Govt working on it.
- Railway connectivity for North Eastern State and J&K – ongoing process major thrust.
- 1330% increase in railway electrification over previous year.
- Fast track highest priority works. Investment 84% higher; 77 new projects -Doubling, tripling/quadrupling/ electrification.
- Open wi-fi to be available at 400 railway stations; proposal to revamp the station re-development scheme.
- More general class coaches to be added in identified trains; more AC EMU services for Mumbai suburban section.
- Station to be redeveloped through simpler processes – faster redevelopment.
- Monitoring cell constituted
- Satellite railway terminals in major cities – 10 select stations.
- 67% more funds allotted for passenger amenities.
- Train sets, saving 20% journey time within next 2 years.
- Rail-cum-road ticket to be extended to many stations; more trains to be added under scheme for ordering food while booking tickets.
- SMS alert on mobile, customer portal promoting digital India campaign – Rly display network.
- Surveillance cameras on select mainline and ladies compartments.
- Modern facilities for disabled citizens, senior citizens, patients through IRCTC.
- 24 to 26 coaches in certain identified trains, more general class coaches, ladders to be replaced.
- Railways to provide freedom to our valued passengers to choose their meals, e-catering has been introduce in 108 trains.
- SMS alert service to inform about the upgraded arrival & departure timings.
- Railways to introduce Operation 5 mins, wherein passengers travellling unreserved can purchase a ticket in 5 minutes.
- A Mobile application to address complaints of people is also being developed.
- All India 24 X 7 helpline 138 from 1/3/15 ; Toll free No.182 – for security complaints.
- Railways to partner with private sector, PSUs and multilateral funding institutions.
- 17000 more toilets to be replaced by Bio-Toilets.
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