HIGHLIGHTS OF RAILWAY BUDGET 2015-16

Rail Budget 2015: Some key highlights in Indian Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu’s speech

Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu in his first Rail Budget expectedly avoided any hike in passenger fares and announced a slew of passenger services aimed at improving the travelling experience of the commuters.

Blending investment and technology, the minister announced several steps to revamp the facilities at the railway stations, ticketing and other passenger services. Higher involvement of the private sector in railways functioning is also one of the key elements of the railway budget for 2015-16.

Here are Some of the key highlights:

1. Rs 8.56 lakh crore investment plan for the period 2015-2019

2. To increase daily passenger carrying capacity from 21 million to 30 million in 5 years

3. Increase track length by 20% to 1,38,000 kms over next 5 years

4. To increase freight carrying capacity from 1 billion to 1.5 billion tones in 5 years

5. Plant proposed to convert waste to energy

6. 17,000 toilets in coaches to be replaced by bio-toilets

7. All-India 24/7 helpline number 138 to be launched

8. Toll free number 182 to be launched for women and safety issues

9. “Operation 5 minutes” and hot button for purchase of universal tickets to ensure that a passenger travelling unreserved can purchase a ticket within 5 minutes

10. Online booking of retiring rooms and wheelchairs on select stations

11. Rs 120 crore to equip major stations with lifts and escalators

12. Allotment for passenger amenities raised by 67%

13. Open bids for station development

14. 84% rise in capital allotment to develop 1200 kms at Rs 8686 crore

15. Evaluation studies undertaken for bullet trains

16. Innovation council called Kayakalp to promote technology development and manufacturing

17. Railway research centres to be set up in select universities

18. Introduction of bar coded/RFID for tracking of parcels and freight wagons

19. Upgradation of equipment for examination of tracks

20. To tap insurance and pension funds and also multi-lateral and bi-lateral funds

21. Development of unmanned audio and visual warning system at unmanned crossings with ISRO

22. Special training in soft skills for frontline staff

23. To set up full-fledged university in 2015-16

24. Setting up environment directorate for focus on environment management

25. 1,000 MW solar plant with the help of MNRE

26.A mobile application to address complaints of people is also being developed

27.The facility of e-ticketing will help us to go paper less

28.SMS alert services for passengers to inform them about arrival and departure of trains

29.Modern facilities for disabled citizens, senior citizens, patients through IRCTC

30.24 to 26 coaches in certain identified trains, more general class coaches, ladders to be replaced

31.In 400 stations wi-fi facility will be provided

32.Cleanliness in Railways highest priority under Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat

33.Plans to building partnerships to gain long term financing and improve connectivity, modernise infrastructure

34.Surveillance cameras on select mainline and ladies compartments

35.Rs 1,000 Nirbhaya Fund, which was lying idle so far, will finally board a train to provide women's safety

36.Satellite railway terminals in 10 major cities

37. Investment 84% higher, 77 new projects

38.Rail tickets can now be booked 120 days in advance.

39.Operating Ratio for 2015-16 Proposed at 88.5%, Best in Last Nine Years .

40.Railways to ensure Highest Standards of Operational and Business Efficiency.

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