Railway Budget focuses on PPP model, modernization, course correction

While the Lok Sabha was adjourned after budget speech of Sadananda Gowda amid din by disgruntled MPs of Opposition from various regions, Gowda promised on infrastructure and modernization besides taking forward wi-fi system.

"I have an open mind to correct," said Gowda, who emphasised on logistic parks and private freight terminals on PPP model.

Increased passenger amenities, more safety measures, timely completion of projects and increased financial discipline are the main highlights of the Railway Budget 2014-15 presented by the Minister of Railways  Sadananda Gowda in Parliament today.

The Budget seeks course correction in the light of mismanagement, apathy, populism in starting projects and severe fund crunch that have inflicted the railways over the years, the Minister averred.  For this, structural reforms will be introduced and resources will be mobilized through PSU surplus, FDI and PPP.

The Budget proposes multi-pronged approach to make Railway journey safe and secure and comfortable for passengers.  More thrust has been placed on passenger amenities, cleanliness and efficient station management.  Now all major stations will have foot-over bridges, escalators, lifts etc.

The Budget proposes multi-pronged approach to make Railway journey safe and secure and comfortable for passengers.  More thrust has been placed on passenger amenities, cleanliness and efficient station management.  Now all major stations will have foot-over bridges, escalators, lifts etc.

On safety and security, the Budget has proposed introduction of advance technology for rail-flaw detection to check causes of accidents, a significant amount has been kept for road-over and road-under bridges and a pilot project will be launched on automatic door closing in mainline and sub-urban coaches.  In order to make women safer while travelling, the Railway will recruit 4000 women constables.  Coaches for ladies will be escorted.

IT initiatives get a big boost in the Budget.  Revamping Railway Reservation System into Next Generation e-Ticketing will be taken up with provision of platform tickets and unreserved tickets also over internet. 

The Railway has proposed real-time tracking of trains and rolling stocks, mobile based Wakeup Call System for passengers, mobile based destination arrival alert and Wi-fi Services in A-1 and A category stations and in select trains.  Indian Railways has also planned paperless offices in 5 years.

The Railway Budget 2014-15 has proposed 58 new trains besides extending 11 existing trains. 

Gowda announced 5 new Jansadharan trains, 5 premium trains, 6 AC trains, 27 express trains and eight passenger trains.

He announced 18 new line surveys, 10 surveys for doubling 3rd and 4th lines besides gauge conversion.

Provision has been made for 28 surveys for new lines and doubling or gauge conversion of lines.  Higher funds have been proposed for ongoing projects in Northeast and remote areas. Special packaged trains on identified pilgrim circuits, two tourist trains and a special train featuring life and work of Swami Vivekananda has been proposed in the Budget.

According to the Budget estimates, the Railways will earn Rs 1,64,374 crore through various resources and will spend Rs 1,49,176 crore during 2014-15.   The operating ratio is expected to be 92.5% which is 1% better than that in 2013-14.

He proposed a hike in outlay to Rs.47,650 crore while the revenue from fares is going to be around Rs 44,600 crore.

In order to make Railway management more efficient, Budget has proposed setting up of Railway University for training in both technical and non-technical subjects besides establishing Innovations and Incubation Centre to harness the ideas generated from staff.

After the Budget, Narendra Modi said the country will have to be taken forward by railway and that was the aim of this budget. He urged all to think as a whole and not in parts and said it focussed on transparency.

The Rail Minister said Rs 5 lakh crore required every year for the next ten years for ongoing projects. He also earmarked Rs 5116 crore  for projects in the Northeast.

In a bid to modernise Indian Railway network, Bullet train has been proposed on Mumbai-Ahmadabad sector besides increasing speed of trains to 160-200 kmph in select 9 sectors.  The Railway has also planned setting up of Diamond Quadrilateral Network of High Speed Rail connecting major metros and growth centers of the country.  

Identified stations will be developed to international standards with modern facilities on lines of newly developed airports through PPP mode.  Railway has also proposed harnessing solar energy by utilizing roof top spaces of stations, railway buildings and land.

The railway minister said no unmanned level crossings will remain while he wanted the Indian Railway to be the largest freight carrier of the world.

Following are the highlights of the announcements:

Diamond quadrilateral network of high speed rail to be introduced as a dream of Narendra Modi

Indian Railway on way to start bullet train beginning with Mumbai Ahmedabad section

Automatic ticket vending machines on anvil

E-ticketing system to be introduced.

Tourist trains for all religious tourism circuits.

Security helpline of railway will be augmented.

4000 women RPF constables for security of women.

Strong action against vendors if food not of quality or hygienic.

Increase of budget allocation for cleanliness by 40 percent and the job will be outsourced.

Catering quality and hygiene to be addressed, pre-cooked food of branded companies to be introduced.

Battery operated cars for physically challenged and old to reach platforms.

Fare revision will get Indian Railways an additional revenue of Rs 8000 crores.

For every rupee earned Railway spends 94 paisa.

Railway carries only 31 percent of freight.

High speed trains also need PPP route.

Future projects should be on PPP mode.

Seeking approval of cabinet for FDI in Railway expect railway operations.

PSU investment in railway infrastructure needed.

Unrealistic to only raise fare and need alternative resources.

Tariff policy so far lacks rationalization.

Review of stoppages of express trains since too many stoppages slow down their speed.

Surplus decreasing owing to non revision of fares: Rail Minister

We have to maintain 1.16 lakh km track length: Rail Minister

We carry 23 million passengers a day but a large number of people never set a foot on train: Gowda

I am overwhelmed with enormity of expectations: Railway Minister in budget speech