Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Pansal today presented the Indian Railway Budget 2013-14. The Budget seems to be load commuters with extra surcharges and taxes. The Minister also seemed worried about reducing the massive burden of Loss on the Indian Railways. Below are the highlights of the Railway Budget.
22 new lines to be taken up in 2013-14
Superfast and Tatkal charges to rise
67 new Express trains to be introduced; 27 new passenger trains; run of 58 trains to be extended
New debt service fund to be set up
Will close fiscal 2012-13 with fund balance against previous deficit; need to build fund balance to Rs.30,000 crore by end of 12th Plan
Operating ratio of 88.8 percent achieved
Dividend reduced from 5 to 4 percent
Electrification of 1,200 km to be completed this year
72 additional suburban services in Mumbai and 18 in Kolkata
No increase in passenger fares
Rs.6,600 crore increase in earnings from fare adjustment in January
Rs.63,000 crore investment in 2013-14
1,047 million tonnes freight loading estimated during 2013-14
Passenger earnings of Rs 42,000 crore estimated in 2013-14
Indian Railways Institute of Financial Management to be set up at Secunderabad
Chair at Delhi to promote research in reducing carbon footprint
Winners of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Dhyan Chand awards to get free first class passes
Complementary first class passes for parents of unmarried posthumous awardees of Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra
Complementary passes of freedom fighters to be renewed every three years instead of annually
New wheel factory to be set up at Rae Bareli
Greenfiled EMU manufacturing facility at Bhilwara
Railway energy management company to be set up to harness solar and wind energy
1,000 crossings to be energised by solar power
1.51 lakh vacancies to be filled up
Locomotive cabs to be air-conditioned
Azadi Express to be introduced to travel to places associated with
freedom struggle
India in 1 billion tonne freight club
By end of 2013-14, 1,500 km of contracts to be awarded for two dedicated rail corridors
Rs.1 lakh crore target set for public-private-partnership route
Free Wi-Fi to be provided on some trains
Rs.100 crore for improving stations in New Delhi
179 escalators and 400 lifts at A 1 and other select stations
E-ticketing through mobile phones
SMS alerts for passengers on reservation status
Next generation e-ticketing system by end of 2013
Seventeen bridges identified for repair
Smoke and fire detection system envisaged
Fire extinguishers to be kept in guard vans
Corporate plan for 10 years to be drawn up
Raised four companies of women RPF personnel, and another eight to be raised for women’s safety
Six more Rail Neer bottling plants to be set up
Losses mounted from Rs.22,500 crore in 2011-12 to Rs.24,600 crore in 2012-13
Planning Commission pegged 12th Plan at Rs.125.19 lakh crore
Fall in accidents – per million accidents down from .41 to .13
Aim to eliminate 31,846 level crossings