IZEA

Saturday, July 4, 2009

HIGHLIGHTS OF RAILWAY BUDGET 2009-10


- No hike in passenger fares, freight charges
- Rs 1,102 crore allocated towards improving passenger amenities
- Kolkata metro to be extended
- Rs 50 billion increase in budgetary support in 2009-10
- Freight target for 2009-10 set at 882 million tonnes
- Target set in interim budget unrealistic
- Freight cargo increased 5% in 2008-09
- One doctor to be posted on each long distance train
- Rs.25 monthly pass for unorganised sector employees with income below Rs 1,500 for travel up to 100 km
- New "Yuva" fully air-conditioned train for youth
- 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
- Student concession of 60 percent on Kolkata Metro
- Introduction of trains for women during peak seasons
- 12 non-stop trains
- New train information system to be started in Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi
- 50 mobile rail ticket vans to be introduced
- ATMs on 200 mid and small-sized stations
- Integrated security scheme for 140 vulnerable stations
- Setting up of a 1,000 MW power plant
- Special recruitment drive for the physically challenged, minorities
- Committee under Sam Pitroda to commercialise railways' optic fibre network
- Private operation of freight terminals to be encouraged
- New factory in West Bengal for making 500 state-of-the-art coaches annually
- "Janta khana" (peoples' food) to be provided at railway stations
- Railways will not be guided by economic viability, but by social commitment
- Seven nursing colleges to provide employment to railway spouses
- Medical colleges proposed to be opened through public-private partnership model
- Cold storages and cargo facilities to eliminate wastage of perishables
- 50 world class stations to be developed on public-private partnership model
- 309 out of 375 stations will be developed with modern facilities
- 50 stations at tourist, religious places to have integrated facilities
- Infotainment facilities on Rajdhani Express for long distance passengers
- Unreserved ticketing systems to be expanded from 5,000 to 8,000 terminals
- Passengers can buy unreserved tickets at 5,000 post offices
- Air-conditioned double-decker trains for inter-city travel
- SMS updates for wait-listed passengers
- 200 automatic vending machines at key stations for selling tickets
- Discount for press correspondents increased from 30 to 50%
- Discount of 60% on fare if press correspondents travel with spouse

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