Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today presented the Railway Budget for 2009-2010 which left passenger fares and freight rates unchanged. While presenting her speech, Ms Banerjee made it clear that her focus was on railway network development under which she announced introduction of 12 non-stop train services between select cities, developing 50 stations as world class, availability of tickets via 5000 post offices across the country etc.
Highlights
No change in passenger fares and freight rates
Tatkal fares reduced by Rs 50 to Rs 100
Plans to acquire 18,000 wagons in FY10
FY10 freight target set at 882 million tonne
Railways to set up 1,000 MW captive power plant with NTPC
50 stations to be developed with world class facilities
To upgrade Mumbai, Pune, New Delhi, Jaipur, Howrah stations
Allocation for new lines raised to Rs 2920 crore
New “Yuva” fully air-conditioned train for youth
Student concession of 60 per cent on Kolkata Metro
Rs 25 pass for unorganised sector employees of income below Rs 1,500 up to 100 km
Yuva fares Rs 299 up to a distance of 1,500 km and Rs 399 up to 2,500 km
Student concession to be extended to madarssa students
Introduction of trains for women during peak seasons
New train information system to be started in Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi
ATMs on 200 mid- and small-sized stations
12 non-stop trains
Integrated security scheme for 140 vulnerable stations
Special recruitment drive for the physically challenged, minorities
Private operation of freight terminals to be encouraged
“Janta khana” (peoples’ food) to be provided at railway stations
Committee under Sam Pitroda to commercialise railways’ optic fibre network
One doctor to be posted on each long distance train
New factory in West Bengal for making 500 state-of-the-art coaches annually
Railways will not be guided by economic viability, but by social commitment
Medical colleges proposed to be opened through public-private partnership model
309 out of 375 stations will be developed with modern facilities