The country gave a mixed reaction to the Railway Budget presented by Union Railway Minister Mr. Pawan Bansal. Following are some highlights of the Budget which had some things to offer all:
For Passengers:
- No increase in passenger fares.
- Supplementary charges for superfast trains have been increased by up to Rs. 25
- Marginal increase in reservation charges, cancellation charges
Amenities Introduced:
- Internet booking to be provided from 0030 hours to 2330 hours
- Next-generation e-ticketing system to improve end user experience. The system will support 7200 users per minute
- Free Wi-Fi facility to be provided in select train
- Induction of e-ticketing through mobile phones, SMS alerts to passengers
- More ladies specials in metros and a helpline number to be implemented
- Concessional fare for sports persons
- Toll free 1800111321 number to address grievance, introduced from February 2013
- 26 new passenger trains & 67 express trains to be launched
Safety Measures:
- Elimination of over 10,000 level crossings
- 17 bridges sanctioned for rehabilitation
- Enhancement of the track capacity and the Train Protection Warning System (TPWS)
For Railway Employees:
- Seek to fill 1.52 lakh vacancies in railways this year; 47,000 vacancies for weaker sections and physically challenged to be filled up soon
- Recruitment to RPF with 10% vacancies reserved for women.
- Five fellowships to be announced to motivate students
- Centralized training institute to be set up in Secunderabad
- Will provide better living conditions for Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel
Some Statistics of Railways:
- 5.2 per cent growth in passenger traffic expected in 2013—14
- Is projected to see gross receipts Rs 1.28 lakh crore for the fiscal ending March 31, 2013, compared to the budget estimate of Rs 1.35 lakh crore
- Operating performance of railways improved this year with operating ratio in FY13 at 88.8% compared to 94.9% in FY12
- Increase in input costs have been met with a 5 per cent average hike in freight rates
- Diesel price hike added Rs. 3,300 crore to fuel bill of Railways
Defying speculations of a second round of hikes in basic passenger fares, the budget has however devised alternate options to recover operations cost, thereby balancing the act, the outcome of which is to be seen when implemented.
For Passengers:
- No increase in passenger fares.
- Supplementary charges for superfast trains have been increased by up to Rs. 25
- Marginal increase in reservation charges, cancellation charges
Amenities Introduced:
- Internet booking to be provided from 0030 hours to 2330 hours
- Next-generation e-ticketing system to improve end user experience. The system will support 7200 users per minute
- Free Wi-Fi facility to be provided in select train
- Induction of e-ticketing through mobile phones, SMS alerts to passengers
- More ladies specials in metros and a helpline number to be implemented
- Concessional fare for sports persons
- Toll free 1800111321 number to address grievance, introduced from February 2013
- 26 new passenger trains & 67 express trains to be launched
Safety Measures:
- Elimination of over 10,000 level crossings
- 17 bridges sanctioned for rehabilitation
- Enhancement of the track capacity and the Train Protection Warning System (TPWS)
For Railway Employees:
- Seek to fill 1.52 lakh vacancies in railways this year; 47,000 vacancies for weaker sections and physically challenged to be filled up soon
- Recruitment to RPF with 10% vacancies reserved for women.
- Five fellowships to be announced to motivate students
- Centralized training institute to be set up in Secunderabad
- Will provide better living conditions for Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel
Some Statistics of Railways:
- 5.2 per cent growth in passenger traffic expected in 2013—14
- Is projected to see gross receipts Rs 1.28 lakh crore for the fiscal ending March 31, 2013, compared to the budget estimate of Rs 1.35 lakh crore
- Operating performance of railways improved this year with operating ratio in FY13 at 88.8% compared to 94.9% in FY12
- Increase in input costs have been met with a 5 per cent average hike in freight rates
- Diesel price hike added Rs. 3,300 crore to fuel bill of Railways
Defying speculations of a second round of hikes in basic passenger fares, the budget has however devised alternate options to recover operations cost, thereby balancing the act, the outcome of which is to be seen when implemented.
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