Rail Budget 2015: No New Trains Announced By Suresh Prabhu

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in his first Rail Budget announced a record investment plan of over R

s.

 1 lakh crore in 2015-16 while sparing the passengers of a fare hike. The chartered accountant-turned politician also proposed a number of steps to increase passenger amenities. (Read the full speech)

Highlights of Mr Prabhu's Speech

• No increase in passenger fares
• No new trains announced
• Tickets can be booked 120 days in advance instead of 60 days to tackle tout menace
• Outlay for passenger amenities increased by 67%
• Plan expenditure to go up to a record R
  s.
   1.1 lakh crore in 2015-16 from an estimated R
  s.
   61,500 crore in 2014-15.
• Central government to outlay likely to at 41 per cent (R
  s.
  45,100 crore) in 2015-16
• We will introduce train sets saving 20% of journey time, similar to bullet trains in design, and that can run on existing tracks
• The speed passenger trains across nine corridors will be increased to 160-200 km from 110 km
• SMS alert to be introduced for train timings
• To introduce air-conditioned coaches for suburban trains
• Wi-fi to be available at 400 railway stations
• To revamp station redevelopment policy completely
• To have bidding system for redevelopment of stations
• To develop 10 satellite railway stations this year
• 800 km of gauge conversion will be commissioned
• E-catering introduced in 108 trains, can order on IRCTC website
• To expand water vending machines on more stations
• On-board entertainment facility could be extended on Shatabdi trains
• Mobile charging stations will be introduced general class coaches
• More general class coaches will be added to select trains for benefit of the common man
• Railways plans to spend over R
  s.
   8 lakh crore over five years
• Pension funds, multi-lateral banks have evinced interest in Railways
• Proposed the best operating ratio in nine years, of 88.5 per cent for 2015-16
• Railways to go through transformation in five years; to increase track capacity by 10 per cent to 1.38 lakh km
• Feasibility report of high speed train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad expected by mid-2015
• Wagon-making scheme to be reviewed to make it easier for private investment
• To improve cleanliness & design of bed linen
• All India 24x7 grievances helpline 138 to start soon 
• 7,000 more toilets to be replaced by Bio-Toilets, New toilets at 650 stations, more  vaccum toilets
• Passenger travelling unreserved  can procure a ticket within 5 minutes
• Mobile application to address complaints of people is also being developed
• Introduction of integrated ticketing will be done
• Hand-held devices for ticket checkers for moving towards paperless ticketing
• Centrally managed railway display network in over 2000 stations in next 2 years
• Railways will play a big role in socio-economic development of the country
• Railways carry a big burden of expectations
• Investments in railways will have multiplier effect
• Railways facilities have not improved significantly over last few years
• The cycle of under-investment should end
• Railways has to regain in share in freight traffic
• Railways aims to deliver a sustainable improvement in customer experience and make rail a safer means of travel
• Objective is to make Railways self-sustainable
• Rail-cum-road ticket to be extended to many stations
• We are committed to provide rail connectivity to North Eastern states
• Transport Logistic Corporation of India to be set up to aid expanding freight handling capacity and provide end-to-end logistic solutions
• PPP model will help to augment resources and generate more employment
• 6608 kms of track to be electrified
• Projects worth R
  s.
   96,182 crore to expand capacity of 9,420 km rail lines
• CCTVs to be introduced in select trains and suburban trains for women safety
• Train Protection Warning System, Train Collision Avoidance System
• Projects for rail connectivity to many ports and mines
• To monetise assets rather than sell them
• To set up full-fledged Railway University in FY16
• R
  s.
  2000 crore for Coastal Connectivity Program; R
  s.
  2500 crore through BOT/Annuity route
• Drawing up comprehensive policy to tap latent advertising potential
• Online application for all recruitment process
• To impart soft skills to our staff we intend to impart regular training 
• 917 safety work projects to eliminate over 3,000 unmanned crossings in all states
• PPP cell to be revamped to make it result oriented
• Railways can't function as business as usual mode
• To set up infra fund, JV with IRFC for long-term funding