It was a year of challenges for Indian Railways and the next year promises to be no better. Country’s largest transporter that saw two Ministers — Mamata Banerjee and Dinesh Trivedi — in a year, struggled to manage its revenue but succeeded to usher some fresh air through new policy initiatives.
During the year, the first ever AC Double Decker train was rolled out, real train information system was opened to public, a new train on longest ever route was flagged off, committees on safety and modernisation were set up and fresh measures were taken to prevent misuse of ‘tatkal’ scheme. The national high speed rail authority was also set up to take care of the long cherished dream.
The total approximate earnings of Indian Railways between April 1 and December 20 was Rs 71,613.12 crore registering an increase of 10.20 per cent in comparison to `64,982.35 crore achieved during the same period last year.
During this period, the total goods earnings have gone up from Rs 43,257.89 crore to Rs 47,653.34 crore, an increase of 10.16 per cent. The total passenger revenue earnings at `20,249.84 crore increased by 9.45 per cent when compared to `18,501.61 crore during the same period of last year.
The total approximate numbers of passengers booked during the same period were 5986.86 million compared to 5691.04 million during the same period last year, showing an increase of 5.20 per cent.
The Railways also achieved another milestone with final breakthrough of Pir Panjal tunnel in J&K on October 14. The 11.176 km long tunnel is not only the longest Transportation Tunnel in the country but has also the highest point (1753 meters above sea level) on Broad Gauge Railway System in the country.
After laying of tracks and completion of adjacent railway works, it will be possible to operate trains from Kashmir Valley to Banihal on the other side of Pir Panjal Range. These works are expected to be completed by December 2012. With the operation of Railway line upto Banihal, there will be an all weather Rail route across the Pir Panjal Mountains, benefiting the entire Kashmir Valley.
A total of 897 route kilometers have been electrified between January and November and the foundation stone was laid for AC Container & Bogie Manufacturing Factory at Budge Budge near Kolkata in West Bengal. An MoU was signed between Railways and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) in January for setting up of a new Rail Axle Manufacturing Factory at New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal.
A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) by Railway Stations Development Corporation Ltd would be announced to meet the aspirations of rail users and to provide better passenger amenities & facilities at railway stations.
In the Budget for 2011-12, a total number of 131 new trains were announced, but 61 new trains are yet to be introduced. Out of extension of 33 trains, 29 trains have been extended and four trains are yet to be extended. Out of increase in frequency of 17 trains, frequency of 15 trains has been increased and frequency of 2 trains are yet to be increased.
Though, cases of accidents and crime showed a declining trend, Railways drew flak from different quarters over some accidents, some of which are believed to be cases of sabotage.
Railway earning increased but were behind the target. Moreover, growing cost of operation and the sixth pay commission impact also left a negative impact on Railways’ revenue. Minister Dinesh Trivedi will also be under intense pressure to hike passenger fare and freight charges when he comes out with the budget in February.
The delay in execution of several projects would continue to keep the railway on its toes and the department will have to toil hard to meet financial requirement to achieve the target of new lines, doubling, and electrification.
During the year, the first ever AC Double Decker train was rolled out, real train information system was opened to public, a new train on longest ever route was flagged off, committees on safety and modernisation were set up and fresh measures were taken to prevent misuse of ‘tatkal’ scheme. The national high speed rail authority was also set up to take care of the long cherished dream.
The total approximate earnings of Indian Railways between April 1 and December 20 was Rs 71,613.12 crore registering an increase of 10.20 per cent in comparison to `64,982.35 crore achieved during the same period last year.
During this period, the total goods earnings have gone up from Rs 43,257.89 crore to Rs 47,653.34 crore, an increase of 10.16 per cent. The total passenger revenue earnings at `20,249.84 crore increased by 9.45 per cent when compared to `18,501.61 crore during the same period of last year.
The total approximate numbers of passengers booked during the same period were 5986.86 million compared to 5691.04 million during the same period last year, showing an increase of 5.20 per cent.
The Railways also achieved another milestone with final breakthrough of Pir Panjal tunnel in J&K on October 14. The 11.176 km long tunnel is not only the longest Transportation Tunnel in the country but has also the highest point (1753 meters above sea level) on Broad Gauge Railway System in the country.
After laying of tracks and completion of adjacent railway works, it will be possible to operate trains from Kashmir Valley to Banihal on the other side of Pir Panjal Range. These works are expected to be completed by December 2012. With the operation of Railway line upto Banihal, there will be an all weather Rail route across the Pir Panjal Mountains, benefiting the entire Kashmir Valley.
A total of 897 route kilometers have been electrified between January and November and the foundation stone was laid for AC Container & Bogie Manufacturing Factory at Budge Budge near Kolkata in West Bengal. An MoU was signed between Railways and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) in January for setting up of a new Rail Axle Manufacturing Factory at New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal.
A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) by Railway Stations Development Corporation Ltd would be announced to meet the aspirations of rail users and to provide better passenger amenities & facilities at railway stations.
In the Budget for 2011-12, a total number of 131 new trains were announced, but 61 new trains are yet to be introduced. Out of extension of 33 trains, 29 trains have been extended and four trains are yet to be extended. Out of increase in frequency of 17 trains, frequency of 15 trains has been increased and frequency of 2 trains are yet to be increased.
Though, cases of accidents and crime showed a declining trend, Railways drew flak from different quarters over some accidents, some of which are believed to be cases of sabotage.
Railway earning increased but were behind the target. Moreover, growing cost of operation and the sixth pay commission impact also left a negative impact on Railways’ revenue. Minister Dinesh Trivedi will also be under intense pressure to hike passenger fare and freight charges when he comes out with the budget in February.
The delay in execution of several projects would continue to keep the railway on its toes and the department will have to toil hard to meet financial requirement to achieve the target of new lines, doubling, and electrification.
