Rail Budget 2015: No New Trains Announced By Suresh Prabhu

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in his first Rail Budget announced a record investment plan of over Rs 1 lakh crore in 2015-16 while sparing the passengers of a fare hike. The chartered accountant-turned politician also proposed a number of steps to increase passenger amenities. (Read the full speech)

Highlights of Mr Prabhu's Speech

No increase in passenger fares
No new trains announced
Tickets can be booked 120 days in advance instead of 60 days to tackle tout menace
Outlay for passenger amenities increased by 67%
Plan expenditure to go up to a record Rs 1 lakh crore in 2015-16 from an estimated Rs 61,500 crore in 2014-15.
Central government outlay likely at 41 per cent (Rs.45,100 crore) in 2015-16
We will introduce train sets saving 20% of journey time, similar to bullet trains in design, and that can run on existing tracks
The speed passenger trains across nine corridors will be increased to 160-200 km from 110 km
SMS alert to be introduced for train timings
To introduce air-conditioned coaches for suburban trains
Wi-Fi to be available at 400 railway stations
To revamp station redevelopment policy completely
To have bidding system for redevelopment of stations
To develop 10 satellite railway stations this year
800 km of gauge conversion will be commissioned
E-catering introduced in 108 trains, can order on IRCTC website
To expand water vending machines on more stations
On-board entertainment facility could be extended on Shatabdi trains
Mobile charging stations will be introduced general class coaches
More general class coaches will be added to select trains for benefit of the common man
Railways plans to spend over Rs 8 lakh crore over five years
Pension funds, multi-lateral banks have evinced interest in Railways
Proposed the best operating ratio in nine years, of 88.5 per cent for 2015-16
Railways to go through transformation in five years; to increase track capacity by 10 per cent to 1.38 lakh kilometres
Feasibility report of high speed train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad expected by mid-2015
Wagon-making scheme to be reviewed to make it easier for private investment
To improve cleanliness & design of bed linen
All India 24x7 grievances helpline 138 to start soon
7,000 more toilets to be replaced by Bio-Toilets, New toilets at 650 stations, more vacuum toilets
Passenger travelling unreserved can procure a ticket within 5 minutes
Mobile application to address complaints of people is also being developed
Introduction of integrated ticketing will be done
Hand-held devices for ticket checkers for moving towards paperless ticketing
Centrally managed railway display network in over 2000 stations in next 2 years
Railways will play a big role in socio-economic development of the country
Railways carry a big burden of expectations
Investments in railways will have multiplier effect
Railways facilities have not improved significantly over last few years
The cycle of under-investment should end
Railways has to regain in share in freight traffic
Railways aims to deliver a sustainable improvement in customer experience and make rail a safer means of travel
Objective is to make Railways self-sustainable
Rail-cum-road ticket to be extended to many stations
We are committed to provide rail connectivity to North Eastern states
Transport Logistic Corporation of India to be set up to aid expanding freight handling capacity and provide end-to-end logistic solutions
PPP model will help to augment resources and generate more employment
6608 kms of track to be electrified
Projects worth Rs 96,182 crore to expand capacity of 9,420 km rail lines
CCTVs to be introduced in select trains and suburban trains for women safety
Train Protection Warning System, Train Collision Avoidance System
Projects for rail connectivity to many ports and mines
To monetize assets rather than sell them
To set up full-fledged Railway University in FY16
Rs.2000 crore for Coastal Connectivity Program; Rs.2500 crore through BOT/Annuity route
Drawing up comprehensive policy to tap latent advertising potential
Online application for all recruitment process
To impart soft skills to our staff we intend to impart regular training
917 safety work projects to eliminate over 3,000 unmanned crossings in all states
PPP cell to be revamped to make it result oriented
Railways can't function as business as usual mode
To set up infra fund, JV with IRFC for long-term funding