New Delhi, July 04: The Indian Railways’ feel-good deal for the travelling public extended for the sixth consecutive year as the Budget for the fiscal 2009-10 left the fares untouched while also announcing a number of new trains, facilities and a grandiose vision for expansion and diversification.
* No rise in fares, freight;
* White Paper on status of Railway ministry promised
Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, presenting the Railway Budget in the Lok Sabha on Friday, announced non-stop trains to several destinations, air conditioned “yuva trains” for the young, doctors on board on long-distance trains, mobile ticket reservation vans and curtailed the advance booking period and fee for tatkal tickets. Besides retaining the existing fares, she also left freight charges untouched.
By way of concessions, the Minister announced a slew of sops, which included concessional travel for unorganised sector employees, extension of concessions to madrasa students and double-decker air-conditioned coaches for inter-city travel.
Dreaming big, Mamata also promised to build 50 world-class railway stations, including two in Bangalore and one in Mangalore, saying the Railways will diversify to set up medical and nursing colleges (attached to railway hospitals), hotels and shopping malls. These, she said, would be undertaken on a public-private partnership mode.
The first Railway Budget of the second UPA government included proposals on introduction of 57 new train services, extension of 27 new trains and increase in frequency of 13 trains, 50 world-class stations and 375 model stations.
Mamata, who was not very kind to her predecessor Lalu Prasad, admitted that economic slowdown had hit the railways as well. She said the freight loading shortfall of 17 million tonnes forced the Railways to revise its targets.
“Similarly, revenues expected from commercial utilisation of surplus railway land also did not materialise”. However, this year’s budget estimates project a freight loading target of 882 million tonnes, an increase of 49 million tonnes and a six per cent increase in the number of passengers.
The ministry would come out with a White Paper on the status of the organisation and its operations, she said.
She began her budget speech making clear her priorities as railway minister: “My priority areas will be a perceptible improvement in passenger amenities, cleanliness, quality of railway catering, safety and security and punctuality”.
On “Yuva Trains”, Mamata Banerjee said, dedicated to the generation next, the trains, with only sitting accommodation, would also benefit low-income groups.
While the concessional monthly season ticket pass for the unorganised sector has been named Izzat (dignity), the 12 non-stop point-to-point train services have been named Duranto (quick).
The Izzat scheme for the unorganised sector would cost Rs 25 pass up to 100 km journey, said the Railway Minister.
Mamata also said multi-function complexes will be set up in 50 station premises. “Multi-functional complexes with shopping facilities, food stalls and budget hotels will be constructed at these 50 railway stations that serve as centres of pilgrimage, tourist and industry.”
Mamata also announced “on-board house-keeping scheme” to cover 200 additional pairs of trains, improved linen management with modern, mechanised automated laundries and on-board availability of doctors in long-distance trains. Another proposal was to run three faster parcel service trains.
Calling it a “landmark initiative”, Mamata said dedicated freight corridors have been declared as “Diamond Rail Corridors” while foundation was being laid for development of Eastern Industrial Corridor along side the Eastern Freight Corridor. Railway land banks will be set up to catalyse development in the corridors.
Promising inclusive growth and expansion of rail network to reach development to every corner, Mamata Banerjee said that the “so-called economically unviable but socially desired projects” will be viewed with social perspective to benefit backward areas and the underprivileged.
Non-stop Mamata Express
*Tatkal (instant) window cut from 5days to 2 days and minimum charge from Rs 150 to Rs 100
*New “Yuva” fully air-conditioned train for youth
*Passengers can buy unreserved tickets at 5,000 post offices
*SMS updates for waitlisted passengers
*200 automatic vending machines at key stations for selling tickets
*Rs 25 monthly season ticket for unorganised sector workers
*Special trains for women in metros
*12 non-stop trains
*Toilets like the ones in the aircraft
*‘Janta khana’ (peoples’ food) at railway stations
*50 world class stations
*One doctor on each long distance train
*Air-conditioned double-decker trains for inter-city travel
*50 mobile rail ticket vans
–Agencies