There has been no change in passenger fares or freight rates in the rail budget. Presenting her third Rail Budget, Mamata Banerjee said that there is a need to have social view on rail projects.
She said that the Railways would develop 50 world class stations with international standards.
The stations would be developed via public-private partnership.
Stating the need for expanding the rail network for development, Mamata said economic viability of projects is not the key concern. A panel would be set up to look into the financing of unviable rail projects.
The minister said that the priority is to focus on passenger safety and security while infotainment services would be made available on long-distance trains.
To make the ticketing process easier, she said that e-ticketing facilities would be enhanced and simplified. In addition, automatic vending machines would be installed at 200 large stations and 200 new locations would be brought under reservation services. Besides, computerised tickets could be purchased from 5,000 post offices.
Air conditioned double decker coaches would be also introduced.
An expert committee would be formed for optic fibre cable network.
Mamata said Yuva Trains would be introduced at Rs 299 for distance up to 1500 km. She also said the Railways would introduce non-stop train services between select cities.
Indian Railways would introduce the ‘Izzat Scheme’ under which a person earning up to Rs 1500 per month can travel up to 100 km for Rs 25.
On the freight side, Mamata said that private participation would be encouraged for the operation of the freight terminals and 18,000 wagons would be acquired in FY10 vs 11,000 wagons in FY09. The government has approved the extension of the eastern corridor up to Dankuni in West Bengal. The Railways would start a premium service for container movement.
For the benefit of farmers, the Railways will set up cold storages cargoes.
For FY10, freight traffic target has been set at 882 MT vs 850 MT target in FY09. In 2009-10, the Railways is set to pay Rs 5,479 crore as dividend.
The Railways will also set up a coach unit, with a capacity to produce 500 coaches per year via PPP mode.
It would also set up a 1,000 MW Power plant in alliance with NTPC. The Delhi- Mumbai industrial corridor would be executed through PPP. To put railway land bank to productive use, she said that the land would be used for industrial purpose.