Highlights of Rail Budget 2013-2014

Highlights of Rail Budget 2013-2014

Railway Minister PK Bansal on 26 February 2013 proposed the introduction of improved and safer facilities while delivering the Railway Budget for 2013-2014. Bansal underlined the need for the Indian Railways to remain financially sustainable, especially at times when resources are scarce and losses on train operations continue to mount.

Despite a hike in fuel prices, Bansal did not announce a hike in passenger fares, the cost of which will be to the tune of Rs 850 crore. However, he did propose to hike the reservation fee for superfast trains and the tatkal charges.

Bansal called for a paradigm shift on tariff and freight policy and the faster expansion of the rail network. Furthermore, Bansal stated that resource constraints cannot be used as an excuse for poor service and committed to bring about a market change in amenities.

Here is a look at other provisions introduced by the Rail Minister in the Budget.

FY14 Budget

Rail land development authority allocation Rs 1,000 crore

FY13 railway losses seen at Rs 24,600 crore Vs Rs 22,500 crore year ago

12th Plan

12th Plan gross budgetary support Rs 194,000 crore

12th Plan rail market borrowing pegged at Rs 120,000 crore

General

Share from central road fund Rs 1,100 crore Vs Rs 5,000 crore needed

Number of trains up from 8,897 in 2001-2002 to 12,335 in 2011-2012

Raising Rs 95,000 crore for the next 4 years

Arunachal Pradesh brought under RAIL network

Safety & Modernisation

To make 10-year corporate plan for rail safety

Plan to introduce corporate safety plan for 10 years from 2014

Train protection warning system to be implemented

To work towards zero-accident situation

Freight

1,500 km to be awarded for dedicated freight corridor FY14

FY14 freight loading estimated 1,007 million tonne

To enter 1 billion tonne freight carrying club

Infrastructure

Seek states co-operation to increase public-private partnership

Target of Rs 1 lakh crore set aside for participation via PPP

New routes & Trains

Working on new railway line in Manipur

Facilities

To put in place next generation e-ticketing system by Dec 2013

New system to enable booking 7,200 tickets/min Vs 2,000 now

SMS alerts for reservation status being rolled out

Plan free Wi-Fi facility onboard trains

To extend internet booking timing from 00:30 IST to 23:30 IST

Look forward to use Aadhar services for Railways

To introduce 1 luxury 'Anubhuti' coach in express trains

To identify 60 more railway stations as model stations

To set up 8-10 more mechanised laundries for rail linen

To set up 8 women railway police units in addition to the existing 4

For more highlights and the speech document, click on the below attachments.

Click Here for full highlights

Click Here for Budget Speech by Railway Minister in Parliament

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