Rail Budget 2013

[Clarke]

Highlights of the Railway Budget 2013-14: Losses to railways on account of passenger traffic likely to mount to Rs 24,600 crore in 2012-13 from Rs 22,500 crore in 2011-12. Rs 1 lakh crore to be raised from public-private partnership, Rs 1.05 lakh crore through internal. 12th Plan railway size to be Rs 5.19 lakh crore, with gross budgetary support of Rs 1.94 lakh crore. E-ticketing will be now available through mobile phones Use of Aadhaar card by Railways to render user friendly services More RPF guards, ladies specials in metros and helplines to be implemented Special coaches called 'Anubhuti' with luxurious services in select trains Railways to provide free Wi-Fi on selected trains To transport 1 bn tonnes, up 38 million tones of freight in FY13, says Railway minister 'Have spent Rs 100 crores on upgrading 3 Delhi stations' India joins China, Russia and the US as 1 billion-plus tonne freight carrier on Railways Measures for improving Safety & Security Making a Corporate Safety Plan for a ten year period (2014-2024). Elimination of 10797 level crossings during the 12th Plan and no addition of new LCs to the IR system henceforth. Introduction of Train Protection Warning System on Automatic Signalling Systems. Rigorous trials of the indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System. Using 60 kg rails, 260 meter long welded rail panels and improved flash butt welding technology. Introduction of 160/200 kmph Self Propelled Accident Relief Trains. Induction of crash worthy LHB coaches with anti-climb feature. Rehabilitation of identified 17 distressed bridges over next one year. Provision of comprehensive fire and smoke detection systems. Provision of portable fire extinguishers in Guard-cum-Brake Vans, AC Coaches and Pantry Cars in all trains. Use of fire retardant furnishing materials in coaches. Measures initiated to deal with elephant related accidents. Four companies of women RPF personnel set up and another 8 to be set up to strengthen the security of rail passengers, especially women 2 passengers. Recruitment to RPF with 10% vacancies reserved for women. Rail Based Industries New factories/workshops to be set up: A new Forged Wheel Factory at Rae Bareli in collaboration with Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited. A Greenfield Mainline Electrical Multiple Units (MEMU) manufacturing facility at Bhilwara (Rajasthan) in collaboration with State Government and BHEL. A Coach Manufacturing Unit in Sonepat District (Haryana) in collaboration with State Government. AMidlife Rehabilitation Workshop at Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh) in collaboration with the State Government. Bikaner and Pratapgarh workshops to undertake POH of BG wagons. A workshop for repair and rehabilitation of motorized bogies at Misrod (Madhya Pradesh). A new wagon maintenance workshop in Kalahandi (Odisha). A modern signaling equipment facility at Chandigarh through PPP route. Green Initiatives Setting up of Railway Energy Management Company (REMC) to harness potential of solar and wind energy. Setting up of 75 MW capacity windmill plants and energizing 1000 level crossings with solar power. Deployment of new generation energy efficient electric locomotives and EMUs. More usage of agro-based and recycled paper and ban use of plastic in catering.

[Tiger80]

Rae Barelly Budget :hehe:

[Clarke]

Highlights: Marginal increase in cancellation, reservation charges 67 new express trains to be introduced; 27 passenger trains, 8 DEMUs Operating ratio expected to improve to 87.8 per cent in 2013?4 from 88.8 per cent in the current fiscal 5.2 per cent growth in passenger traffic expected in 2013?4 Railway hopes to end 2013-14 with a balance of Rs 12,506 crore Allocation of Rs 1,000 crore each made for railway land development authority and railway station development authority. Railways set to enter 1 billion ton freight club of China, Russia and US New train Azadi Express to places linked with the freedom struggle to be introduced, fares to be concessional Common rail-bus ticket to be introduced for Katra-Vaishnodevi pilgrims Internet booking to be provided from 0030 hours to 2330 hours Internet booking to be strengthened with next-generation e-ticketing system to eliminate delays Special A/C coaches ̢nubhuti? to be introduced in select Shatabdi and Rajdhani trains to give excellent ambience with commensurate fare Railways will use Aadhar data base for bookings and validation of passengers SMS alert service being rolled out shortly to intimate passengers about reservation status Free wi-fi facility to be provided in select trains Plan to allow e-ticketing via mobile phones Railway committed to bring marked change in passenger amenities Aim to eliminate 31,846 level crossings Identification of 104 stations for upgradation in places with more than one million population and of religious significance Railways to set up six more Rail Neer bottling plants Rs. 95,000 crore shortfall, meeting this shortfall will mean a paradigm shift Rs one lakh crore to be raised from public̄rivate partnership, Rs 1.05 lakh crore through internal resources in the 12th Plan, says Railway Minister P K Bansal 12th Plan railway size to be Rs 5.19 lakh crore, with gross budgetary support of Rs 1.94 lakh crore Steep increase in input costs have been met with hike in freight rates: Bansal Railways powerful vehicle driving the growth of the country: Bansal

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/railway-budget-201314-67-express-26-passenger-trains-introduced/article4454710.ece?homepage=true

[surajmal]

I understand Railways are the lifeblood of India but what is stopping them from privatizing freight railways?

[G_B_]

I understand Railways are the lifeblood of India but what is stopping them from privatizing freight railways?

what do you think subsidies passenger travel? personally i would like to see the top 50 metro's be connected by trains to travel at speeds of 150km per hour on average. At present the railways are in such a mess that they dont even give competition to the low cost airline industry

[The Outsider]

I understand Railways are the lifeblood of India but what is stopping them from privatizing freight railways?

Freight provides the vast majority of the revenue and allows the subsidization of passenger fares.

[Clarke]

At present the railways are in such a mess that they dont even give competition to the low cost airline industry

Where's the contest between the two ? I would actually argue that the airlines barely compete with railways given the fact that its far easier to reserve airline tickets than rail ones. A Rajdhani 1st class ticket is cheaper to book than the so called low cost airlines.

[G_B_]

Where's the contest between the two ? I would actually argue that the airlines barely compete with railways given the fact that its far easier to reserve airline tickets than rail ones. A Rajdhani 1st class ticket is cheaper to book than the so called low cost airlines.

but it takes 16 hours and is less comfortable.

[Clarke]

^ Yes, takes more time but I'll disagree on the comfort perspective between an airliner and Rajdhani 1st AC. My primary point though is valid, its the airlines that are unable to compete with railways because of the latter's low cost of travel. You have waiting list in hundreds for so many trains even in the off season.