Railway Budget: Capacity Augmentation 4. Modernization 5. Operating Ratio Will Be Lowered To
Railway Budget: Capacity Augmentation 4. Modernization 5. Operating Ratio Will Be Lowered To
Railway Budget: Capacity Augmentation 4. Modernization 5. Operating Ratio Will Be Lowered To
Focus and Long Term Goals -1. Safety; 2. Consolidation; 3. Decongestion & Capacity Augmentation; 4. Modernization; 5. Operating Ratio will be lowered to 84.5 percent from the current 95 percent, and to 74 percent by the terminal year of the 12th plan. The emphasis of the Rail Budget would be on improving infrastructure. "India Railways has to be benchmarked with Europe and Japan. Safety is the first priority and sole emphasis, "My focus will be on safety, safety, safety. Dinesh Trivedi Target of zero deaths & propose to set up an independent railway safety authority. Indian Railways will invest Rs 7.35 lakh crore during the 12th Five Year Plan period (2012-17), against Rs 1.92 lakh crore in the current one. It will double its contribution to India's GDP to 2 percent.
HIGHLIGHTS
Railways must attract 10 percent of the Rs 20 lakh crore government expects to spend on infrastructure during 12th Plan Railways expect gross budgetary support of Rs 2.5 lakh crore during 12th Plan. Collective challenge to formulate viable funding mechanism for modernisation.
HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUED
Facilitate running of longer and heavier freight trains *Total cost of signalling for five years is Rs 35,000 crores *17 gauge conversion projects will be completed in FY 12-13 *825 kms of gauge conversion projects to be completed
HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUED
Railways to take up linking of Agartala to Akura in Bangladesh. 31 projects of over 5,000 km being implemented with the support of state governments. All meter gauge, narrow gauge sections to be made broad gauge, except heritage lines, by end of 12th Five Year Plan. 725 km of new line completed in the current year, Rs 6,725 crore for new lines. 14 new rail line survey to be taken up in 2012-13. Budgetary support pegged at Rs 25,000 crore for the coming year as against projected requirement of Rs 45,000 crore. Logistics Corporation will be created for providing logistics solutions for rail users. New lines to be set up for Kolkata Metro
Dinesh Trivedi
The Railway Minister announces marginal hike in passenger fares ranging from 2 paise per kilometer to 30 paise per kilometer in various categories of trains. Promised to set up Indian Railways Stations Development Corporations to re-develop stations and maintain them like airports.
Two double decker trains and Shatabdi trains are among the 72 new express trains announced in the Rail budget 2012-2013.
New passenger services include escalators at major stations, alternative train accommodation for waitlisted passengers, laundry services and AC lounges.
Specially designed coaches for differently abled persons will be provided in each Mail/Express trains acc to the minister.
Contd(/..)
improve cleanliness and hygiene on trains and stations within six months. A special house keeping body - take care of both stations and trains. All unmanned level crossings will be abolished in the next five years due to safety reasons.
Add 100 new trains and hire more than 1lakh employees. Gross rail traffic targeted to increase by Rs 28,635 crore to Rs 1,32,552 crore in 201213.
Green initiatives
Setting up of 200 remote railway stations as 'green energy stations' powered entirely by solar energy.
Introduction of mobile emission test cars to measure pollution level of diesel locomotives. Introduction of a 'Green Train' to run through the pristine forests of North Bengal.
2500 coaches to be equipped with bio toilets.
Analysis
POSITIVE Focus on cleanliness , safety and security . Increase in prices are acceptable as fares were untouched for past eight years. NEGATIVE Would have preferred special concession for students. Platform tickets are overly priced .