Railways Minister Dinesh Trivedi, as part of his Rail Budget 2012-13, on Wednesday announced a nominal increase in passenger fares.
According to the Railway Minister, fares will go up by 2 paisa per km in ordinary second class and suburban services; by 3 paisa in mail/express second class; 5 paisa per km in sleeper class; 10 paisa per km in AC 3-tier, AC chair car, and non-AC First Class; 15 paisa per km in AC two-tier; and 30 paisa per km in AC first class.
Also, minimum fare and platform tickets would now cost Rs 5.
This is the first hike in passenger fares in 10 years.
Trivedi also announced 75 new Express trains, 21 passenger trains, besides 75 new services in Mumbai suburban rail network, 50 new services in Kolkata suburban rail network and 15 in Chennai suburban rail network.
In his Rail Budget speech, the minister spelt out five priority areas for the Railways over the 12th Five Year Plan.
Trivedi emphasized that safety and modernisation will be the prime focus and that Railways would try to stop unfortunate occurrences in the future.
"My focus will be safe safety, safety, safety," Trivedi said, adding he had taken over the ministry last year in the backdrop of a rail accident in Uttar Pradesh.
"I vow to target zero deaths," he said in his maiden rail budget speech. "I also propose to set up an independent railway safety authority, as recommended by an expert group headed by the former Atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar."
Apart from safety, the other four focus areas include consolidation, de-congestion and capacity augmentation, modernisation and bringing down operating ratio.
Trivedi said the Railways will invest Rs 7.35 lakh crore during the 12th Five Year Plan period (2012-17), against Rs 1.92 lakh crore in the current one. By then, it will double its contribution to India's gross domestic product to 2 percent.
He further said that as part of modernisation exercise, Railway stations will be developed on the lines of airports.
Rail Budget Highlights
Fares
2 paisa per km suburban passenger
3 paisa per km express
5 paisa per km sleeper
10 paisa per km AC 3 and AC chair car
15 paisa per km AC two tier AC
30 paisa per km for AC first class
50% concession to patients suffering from sickle cell anemia
All arjuna awardees to get free travel in Rajdhani and Shatabdi express
Izzat scheme – Rs 25 rail pass - travel distance increased from 100 km to 150 km
Passenger Amenities:
RPF helpine to be integrated with other helplines
Three new training centres at Banaglore, Kahargpur and Lucknow
Railway Design Centre in NID campus, Ahmedabad
Hygiene standards important
Specialized housekeeping body to take care of stations and trains
Special compartments for physically disabled travelers
Efforts to improve access to platform for such persons
Safety:
Entire emphasis on safety, safety and safety
Safety has to be bench-marked with modern rail systems in the world
Not satisfied with safety standards
Railway family machining effort to enhance safety
Accident rate reduced to 0.55% from 0.77%
Eliminate all unmanned level crossings in five years
Independent rail safety authority to be set up
Safety standards cannot be achieved without modernization
Safety target of last Rail Budget has been met
Kasturirangan suggested Dr Anil Kakodkar’s name to head high speed safety committee
Committee submitted report on Feb 17, 2012 – suggested far reaching safety measures
Modernisation and Safety - two sides of same coin
Railway Safety Funds Rs 16000 crore approx
Plan Rs 20000 crores rail safety fund
Target should be zero death
Other Highlights:
Dinesh Trivedi presents his maiden budget
In 4th year of 12th Five Year Plan
Thanks Sonia, Mamata and members of Opposition
I am grateful to Maa Mati Manush
Have taken lessons from history: Trivedi
Mamata’s 2020 Vision document has guided me: Trivedi
No organisation can draw a parallel to Indian Railways
Achievements of Railways dedicated to railwaymen
Have tried to learn from the past
Had taken over just after Kanpur Rail accident
Took a vow to help stop such unfortunate occurrences
Rail Road Grade Separation Corporation of India set up
Committee to examine current standards of safety
Attention will be given to recommendations of committee
New expert group under Sam Pitroda on modernisation has submitted report
Rs 5.76 lakh crore needed for moderanisation as per the expert group
Mission directors will be appointed for modernaisation
Functions to be worked out on international line
Rail Research and Development Council
Railways suffers from implementation bug
Railways must attract Rs 2.50 lakh crore out of the govt’s spending on infrastructure
12th plan investment has been pegged at Rs 7.35 lakh crore as against the current Rs 1.92 lakh crore
Need to connect remote and backward areas
Project on national importance in Northeast and Kashmir
Pradhan Mantri Rail Vikas Yojna (PMRY) under formulation
Additional fund of Rs 5 lakh crore required under PMRY
To set up SPV for funding unmanned level crossings
40% accidents at unmanned level crossings
Gross Budgetary support Rs 2.5 lakh crore
Rail connectivity scheme to foster growth
Most of new rail line projects cannot be completed without viable funding mechanism
Need policy pronouncements and roadmap to achieve the goals
Indian railways will become a powerful engine of growth
Focus of Rail Budget is safety, consolidation and capacity augmentation
Target is to achieve 84% operational ratio
Serious need for funds as running costs high
Himalayan task of running Indian Railways safely
Aiming for generational change in Indian Railways
487 rail projects pending, need funds
Want to contribute 2-3% to GDP instead of current 1%
Will invest Rs 3.5 lakh crore
Operating ratio of 84.9% in 2012-13
487 gauge expansion projects in stages of implementation
Railways should get at 10% of infra spend of govt
Rs 14 lakh crore needed in next 10 years
I have received 5,741 requests
476 requests for new lines, doubling of tracks
646 requests for new trains
Realise expectations of people
All demands are genuine
Have tried to provide meet aspirations of all people across the country
Have made sincere efforts
Cannot imagine India without Indian Railways
If we don’t strengthen Railways we weaken the country
Collective responsibility of Parliament to make IR a sparkling service
Internal resources of Railways pegged at Rs 1.9 lakh crore
Rs 5 lakh crore needed for PM rail vikas scheme
Need sustainable financial model
Spoke to all chief ministers before preparing Rail Budget
Quantum jump in 12th outlay
Indian Railways stands at a cross road
India has remained on a healthy growth mode
Indian Railways has a critical role in catalysing world economy
Five focus areas – tracks, bridges, signalling, rolling stock, stations
Plan out lay for 2012-13 Rs 60,100 cr
80% traffic being carried in 40% of rail network
Progressive use of 60 kg rails
Modernisation of 19,000 kilometres in next five years
More funds for bridges
19,000 kilometres represents 80% of traffic
Singalling will be modernised
Panel routes, interlocking to be introduced in more routes
Automatic breaking systems to be introduced in more than 3400 kilometres
19000 km of track to be upgraded
Operating ratios of 74% in 2016-17
487 pending projects, needs funds and attention
Railways needs to grow at 10% annually
Total cost of signalling and communication Rs 39,110 cr in next five years
More LHB coaches to be introduced
New electric locos of 9000 horse power
Diesel engines of 5500 horse power
New auto car wagons
New coaching complex in Navi mumbai
Coaching terminal at the birth place of Bankim chandra chhattopadhya
Rs 4410 crore for capacity augmentation works
Focus of budget – safety, consolidation, decongestion, , up capacity
Operating ratio 95% as of now
Ail to cut operating ratio to 84.9% in 2012-13 and 74% by 2016-17
Signalling system to be modernized
Rs 6400 crore to be spent on track modernization
160km/hr to be standard speed for trains
Will lead to reduced travel time
Delhi to Kolkata travel time will be reduced from 17 hours to 14 hours
Indian Railways Stations Redevelopment Corporation set up
Indian Railways Stations Redevelopment Corporation will be cost neutral
100 stations to be modernised in the next five years
Will be carried on PPP model
Logistics corporation will also be set up
Rs 60100 crore planned investment in 2012-13
11 kilometers of tunneling completed through Pir Panjal Range in Kashmir
New lines:
725 km completed in current year
45 new works to be completed in 2012-13
85 lines surveys completed
Where surveys have been competed it has been refereed to Planning Commission
State governments will have to share costs
All the 11 new projects recommended by the Planning Commission have been included
Coach maintenance factory to be set up at Navi Mumbai
Rs 4400 crores for capacity augmentation
Logistics Corp planned to offer total logistics solutions
Development of major stations to create 50000 jobs
To develop 100 stations via PPP route in next 5 years
Allocation of over 6000 cr under new line plan
Gauge conversion:
800 km target for gauge conversion in next year
Two new lines for gauge conversion
Unigauge policy adopted in 1992
19000 km has already been conducted, only 7500 km is only left
Doubling:
700 km rail lines would be doubled
Rs 3390 cr has been allocated for the same
Focus areas: tracks, bridges, rolling stock, freight terminals
Propose to increase number of double track container wagons
Rs 18100 in rolling stock in FY 13
Rs 1.7 lakh crore in rolling stock in next 5 years
To facilitate running of heavier, longer freight trains
Rs 828 cr for electrification
10 new sections for electrification
Conversion of D/C to A/C completed in western railway section in Mumbai
Central railway section to be completed this year
Kolkata Metro project is on track
MMTC phase 1 has been commissioned in Hyderabad and Secunderabad
New suburban project in Chennai also progressing well
Stations to be modernized like airports
Rs 6872 crore allocated for 85 new line projects
Rail market borrowings Rs 5 lakh crores
FY 13 rail market borrowing via IRFC at Rs 5 lakh crores
Rs 6467 crores to be spent on track modernization
Rs 39100 crores to be spent on signal modernization
Mumbai rail:
Increasing carrying capacity by 35% in Mumbai suburban rail network
Faster corridor on Virar-Panvel section
12 car rakes on Harbour line
Elevated suburban in Mumbai
Premium AC suburban rail service
Railways playing significant role in socio-economic development
Indian Railways has strong case for putting dividend back into the system
Three new rail corridors in northern part of Chhattisgarh
Rail connectivity form Pitampuram to Kakinada for oil sector
31 projects are being executed with assistance from the states
17 projects have been sanctioned under ppp mode
Dedicated freight corridor projects under execution
Finding assistance from World Bank and Japan has been tied up
Rail wheel plant has started to produce wheels
Coaches are already rolling out of Rai Bareli
New wagon factory in Sitapalli in Ganjam district of Odisha
New coach factory in Kutch in Gujarat and Kolar in Karnataka
New diesel locomotive production plant in Vidisha in MP
Mumbai rail:
Increasing carrying capacity by 35% in Mumbai suburban rail network
Faster corridor on Virar-Panvel section
12 car rakes in Harbour line
Elevated suburban in Mumbai
Premium AC suburban rail service
Railways playing significant role in social development
Indian Railways has strong case for putting dividend back into the system
Three new rail corridors in northern part of Chhattisgarh
Rail connectivity form Pitampuram to Kakinada for oil sector
31 projects are being executed with assistance from the states
17 Projects have been sanctioned under ppp mode
Dedicated freight corridor projects under execution
Finding assistance from World Bank and Japan has been tied up
Rail wheel plant has started to produce wheels
Coaches are already rolling out of Rai bareli
New wagon factory in sitapalli in ganjam district of Odisha
New coach factory in kutch in Gujarat and kolar in Karnataka
New diesel locomotive production plant in vidisha in MP
To buy locomotives of 9000-12000 horsepower
To introduce wagons with 25 tn axle load
Hope govt will up budgetary support in years to come
Rs 632120 crore to be spent on track modernization between FY 13-17
Rs 45000 crore budgetary support in FY 13 Vs 24000 crore given
Must hasten development of rail lines to underdeveloped areas
Confident opf constructing 725 kms track in Fy 12
Propose 114 new line survey in FY 13
New unit at dankuni to augment the Chhitaranjan Locomotive works
Agartala to be connected with akhura in Bangladesh
Indian Railways has more than 8000 stations
321 escalators in important staions
More mechanized laundaries
Book a meal to be launched
Alternate train accommodation system to accommodate waitlisted passengers in alternate trains
Automatic train running sysetem to be introduced on all trains in the next 18 months
Rs 6872 crore for new lines in FY 13
17 gauge conversion projects to be completed in FY 13
Gave Rs 1388 crore to improve facilitates in rail offices
Allocation of 1950 crores in FY 13 for gauge conversion
825 km gauge conversion to be completed in FY 12
Aim to convert most meter gauge lines by FY 17
RPF helpine to be integration with other helplines
Three new training centres at banaglore, kahargpur and lucknow
Railway design centre in NID campus, Ahmedabad
Hygiene standards important
Specialized housekeeping body to take care of stations and trains
To allocate Rs 3393 crore for doubling of lines in FY 13
Allocation of Rs 828 crore for electrification in FY 13
Aim to electrify 6500 kms of rail lines during 2012-17
To convert DC to AC on Central Railways in Mumbai in FY 13
Completed conversion of Mumbai western railways from DC to AC
Expected doubling of 750 kms of lines to be completed in FY 12
To complete electrification of 1100 km lines in FY 13
1500 EMU coaches added, upped carrying capacity 35% in Mumbai
RPF helpine to be integration with other helplines
Three new training centres at banaglore, kahargpur and lucknow
Railway design centre in NID campus, Ahmedabad
Hygiene standards important
Specialized housekeeping body to take care of stations and trains
To allocate Rs 3393 crore for doubling of lines in FY 13
Allocation of Rs 828 crore for electrification in FY 13
Aim to electrify 6500 kms of rail lines during 2012-17
To convert DC to AC on Central Railways in Mumbai in FY 13
Completed conversion of Mumbai western railways from DC to AC
Expected doubling of 750 kms of lines to be completed in FY 12
To complete electrification of 1100 km lines in FY 13
1500 EMU coaches added, upped carrying capacity 35% in Mumbai
Special compartments for physically disabled travelers
Efforts to ease of access of platform to such persons
Aim to run high speed rail with speed between 200 to 350 kmph
Prefeasibility studies in 6 corridors already taken up
New corridor to be taken up this year between Delhi-Jaipur-Ajmer- Jodhpur
Kerala govt is keen on high-speed corridor between Thiruvanathapuram-Kasargod
Ail to modernize 19000 kms of tracks in 5 years
Time has come to think of National policy for Railways
To rely on PPP route significantly in 12th 5 yr plan
Asked Mumbai rail for pilot plan for commercial development
6500 ha acquired for dedicated freight corridor
Hygiene needs to be improved significantly
Green toilets in more trains
Rail Khel Ratna award to be instituted
Welfare program for rail employees
Large number of vacancies in Indian Railways
In 2012, more than one lakh persons will be recruited
Global tender for catering service
Amenities for differently able people introduced
One coach to be specially designed for differently able people
10 Rail Khel Ratna awards for sportspersons; winners to be given intensive training
To set up housekeeping body for trains, stations to ensure hygiene
To set up rail design unite at National Institute of Design
To set up rail design unit at NID Centre for Rs 10 crore
All trains to have satellite tracking system in 18 months
80,000 vacancies filled in Fy 12, over 1 lakh to be employed in Fy 13
Plan to set up rail coach factory in Kerala
Wagon factory to be set up in at Sitapally in Orissa
Rai Bareli coach factory phase II to be commissioned in FY 13
Propose two coach making unites in Kutch in Gujarat and Karnataka
To start pilot project for Mumbai rail commercialization
High powered diesel locomotive plant in Madhya Pradesh
Plan project to boost Agartala-Bangladesh connectivity
To allot 1112 crore for passenger amenities in FY 13
To upgrade 929 stations in FY 13
All tracks to be made broad gauge by end of 12 th plan
To set up integrated security system at 202 stations in FY 13
Budget Estimates
Taget to carry 1.25 million tones of originating traffic in 2012-13
Freight earning target kept at 89339 cr indicating growth of over 30%
Number of passengers to increase by 5.4%
Gross traffic receipt are expected to be rs 132552 cr
Operating expenses pegged at 84400 cr
Railways have budgeted to discharge full dividend liability
Rail safety plan for 16842 cr
Not defaulted on dividend payment despite financial crunch
Cut FY 12 dividend to 5% Vs 6%
FY 12 operating ratio seen 95% vs 91% tyarget
FY dividend liability Rs 5652 crore
Finance Ministry extended Rs 3000 crore loan
Independent Tariff Regulative Authority for freight and fare proposed, to be debated
Travel on Rajdhanai and Shatabadi free for Arjuna Awardees
Travel distance increased to 150 kms from 100 kms under Izzat scheme
Demands for setting up of Independent tariff regulatory authority
New body to be set up the demand for tariff authority
Indian Railways passing through difficult years
Proposal for alternative train accommodation
Will introduce new auto cars
Guru Parikrama trains – to connect Amritsar, Ptana, Nanded
Plan Trivandrum-Kasragod high speed corridor
To equip 2500 coaches with bio-toilets
To start wellness scheme for better health of employees
Top modernize production unites with modern technology
Propose e-procurement, e-auction of all scrap
To induct 2 new board members for safety , PPP marketing
Propose 75 new express trains
Propose new 21 passenger trains
Propose 75 new services in Mumbai
Propose 50 new trains in Kolkata Metro
