Extract of Rail Minister’s Rail Budget 2012-13 Speech
(Announcements Pertaining to Northern Railway)
Fare
I propose to rationalise the fares to cause minimal impact on the common man and to keep the burden within tolerance limits in general. I am asking for an extra only 2 paise per km for suburban and ordinary second class. Similarly, increase for mail express second class will be by only 3 paise per km; for sleeper class by only 5 paise per km; for AC Chair Car, AC 3 tier & First Class by only 10 paise per km; AC 2 Tier by only 15 paise per km; and AC I by only 30 paise per km. Corresponding rationalisation in minimum distance and fare chargeable in various classes has also been proposed.
I am aware that a large number of passengers face problems at ticket windows because of non-availability of loose change. This causes a lot of hardship and delays the ticket dispensing process leading to longer queues. Incidences of passengers having to forego the change due towards them are also not uncommon. In order to address this problem, I have decided to incorporate a rounding off mechanism in the fare structure. For all ordinary and mail/express trains, rounding off will be to the next nearest five rupees. However, for the suburban passengers, I propose to permit a limited exception in the form of downward rounding off also in a few cases. By way of example, a fare of 11 will become 10 and 6 will become 5. The minimum fare chargeable and the platform ticket will now be 5.
The proposed revisions will have marginal impact on the fares. The increase in fares for suburban second class passengers travelling 35 km will be only 2. For non-suburban second class ordinary passenger travelling a distance of 135 km, increase will be 4 only. For second class mail/express passenger travelling a distance of 375 km, the addition to the fare will be only 12 and that for a 750 km journey by sleeper class on mail/express train will be only 40. An AC 3 tier passenger travelling a distance of 530 km will be required to pay an additional 57. The increase for AC 2 tier and AC I passenger travelling over same distance will be 84 and 163 respectively.
Dedicated Freight Corridor
Indian Railways have taken up the iconic infrastructure project of construction of Dedicated Freight Corridors from Ludhiana to Dankuni and Dadri to Jawaharlal Nehru Port, for efficient freight transportation to and from ports and to facilitate decongestion of the HDN routes. This is one of the biggest infrastructure projects under execution spread over 3300 kms, covering eastern, northern and western part of the country. Funding assistance from World Bank and JICA has been tied up. A total of 6500 hectares of land, out of 10700 hectares required, has been acquired so far. The bidding process for the civil and track works has commenced. It is expected that the contract for civil and track works for about 1000 route kilometers on Eastern and Western DFCs would be awarded during 2012-13.
Progress of rail based Industries
The Rae Bareli Coach Factory is now ready for rolling out coaches and 10 coaches have already been manufactured. The phase-II of this factory would be commissioned in 2012-13.
Passenger Amenities
It has already been mentioned about formation of an Indian Railway Station Development Corporation to redevelop 100 stations in the next five years. Indian Railways however have more than 8000 stations and it is necessary that efforts towards improved availability of amenities like waiting halls, benches, adequate lighting, drinking waters, toilets, proper platform services etc. are made in a concerted manner. With this concern, I propose to raise the allocation under passenger amenities from 762 crore in 2011-12 to 1,102 crore in 2012-13.
Some of the passenger and other user friendly measures introduced or being proposed during 2012-13 are:-
To facilitate easy movement of passengers, installation of 321 escalators at important stations of which 50 will be commissioned during 2012-13;
12 State of Art mechanized laundries already set up and 6 more to become functional during 2012-13;
SMS on passenger mobile phone in case of e-ticket along with an ID proof to be accepted as proof of valid reservation;
Introduction of regional cuisine at affordable rates through catering service to cater to local palate;
To meet the needs of changing times and customer demand, launching of “Book-a–meal” scheme to provide multiple choice of meals, like low cost meal, diabetic meal etc. through SMS or email;
To set up AC Executive lounges at important stations to provide value added services at a charge, offering facilties such as wifi internet, buffet services, wash and change, concierge services for pre-departure and post-arrival assistance to passengers;
Expansion of housekeeping schemes for trains such as Clean Train Station, on Board Housekeeping Services for cleaning en-route and mechanized cleaning at originating/terminating stations;
Introduction of ‘Rail Bandhu’ on-board magazine on Rajdhanis, Shatabdis and Duronto Trains;
Introduction of coin/currency operated ticket vending machines as a pilot project;
Introduction of Alternate Train Accommodation System (ATAS) as a pilot project to accommodate waitlisted passenger on alternate trains;
Introduction of first model rake with world class interiors;
Upgradation of stations as Adarsh Stations
Construction of Multi-functional Complexes;
Sale of PRS tickets throughpost offices;
Implementation of electronic transmission of Railway Receipts for freight traffic direct to the customers.
SIMRAN
Railways have recently introduced satellite based Real Time Train Information System (RTIS), also called SIMRAN, to provide accurate train running information to passengers through SMS, internet etc. The system has already been activated on 36 trains covering Rajdhanis, Shatabdis and Durontos and it will be introduced in all mail/express trains in the next 18 months. on-board passenger displays with indication of next halt station and expected arrival time to passengers in running trains through inputs from RTIS will also be introduced in all mail/express trains progressively.
Security of Passengers
Security of our passengers has been of prime concern to us. I am pleased to inform that I intend to complete the unfinished task of installation of Integrated Security System at all 202 identified stations during 2012-13. Additionally, escorting of trains by RPF/GRP has been extended to almost 3500 trains. It is also now proposed to integrate the RPF Helpline with the All India Passenger Helpline to facilitate much faster response to the security needs of passengers.
Disaster Management (Safety Villages)
Railways must possess modern, well-trained and equipped disaster management machinery. The rescue and relief teams for the accident sites need specialized training where they can be engaged in hands on drills. I plan to set up three training centres named as “safety villages” at Bengaluru, Kharagpur and Lucknow.
Cooperation with NID
The National Institute of Design (NID) at Ahmedabad is internationally acclaimed as one of the foremost multi-disciplinary institutions in the field of design, education and research. I had occasion to visit this Institute with a view to harnessing their expertise in design so as to leverage it for bringing out design related improvisations in the facilities available to passengers and other rail-users. A dedicated Railway Design Centre is proposed to be set up in the NID campus with an endowment fund of 10 crore to be utilised for developing concepts in various areas such as station architecture, coach layouts, luggage storage in coaches, toilets, ticketing kiosks and online services, freight service systems etc.
Specialised House-keeping Body
The standards of hygiene and cleanliness need to be improved substantially. This is a very specialised activity which comes under the core area of House-keeping. Indian Railways is duty bound to provide high standards in both, as this is giving a bad name to the otherwise efficient rail system. It is proposed to set up a specialised House-keeping body to take care of both, i.e. stations and the trains.
Initiatives for differently-abled persons
Indian Railways has always been alive to its social responsibility towards ensuring comfortable train journey for differently-abled persons. Besides providing several travel concessions to such persons, Indian Railways has taken initiative to start manufacturing especially designed coaches having earmarked compartments and toilets adapted to the needs of wheel chair borne/differently-abled person. Each differently-abled friendly compartment provided in specified coaches has a berthing capacity for 4 passengers including two attendants along with toilet and other amenities. Indian Railways has so far manufactured about 2,100 specially designed coaches. It will be our endeavour to have one such coach in each mail/express train. Besides, all Garib Rath rakes are provided with AC compartments for differently-abled persons in the power cars. Efforts are being made to ensure ease of access to platforms and other areas at stations for differently-abled persons.
Catering Policy
Given the fact that catering is a passenger service, there is an urgent need to redefine railways’ approach towards catering and to address demands of the entire spectrum of passengers. The need for visible improvements in the service through pantry cars and base kitchens is a priority since expectations of young India are high and they expect services especially on premium trains, to be of international standards.
I therefore propose that reputed professional agencies which are providing such services internationally be engaged through global tenders for pantry cars and base kitchens under departmental supervision and management. By engaging such specialised international professionals, a benchmark shall be set for modernisation and upgradation. A pilot project will be launched on a few premium trains to introduce international expertise on Indian Railways for catering services.
High Speed Initiatives
Indian Railways have decided to construct High Speed Passenger Rail corridors in the country for running trains at speed of 250-350 kmph. As decided earlier, pre-feasibility studies on six corridors have already been taken up. one more corridor to be studied this year is Delhi-Jaipur-Ajmer-Jodhpur.
Green Initiatives
It is well known that railways are extremely environment friendly and we are committed to protect our environment. The year 2011-12 was declared as the “Year of Green Energy” by Railways. Several measures initiated/proposed to be initiated to promote clean environment are:-
Setting up of earmaked remote railway stations as “Green Energy Stations” powered entirely by solar energy;
Providing solar lighting system at manned level crossing gates in non-electrified territory to improve illumination and enhance safety of road users.
Introduction of mobile emission test car to measure pollution level of diesel locomotives;
Acceptance of SMS on mobile phones as proof of valid reservation, thus saving paper; and
Green Toilets
The problem of environmental degradation and corrosion of tracks due to night soil has been engaging the attention of the railways for a long time. The rail corrosion costs railways more than 350 crore every year. As also pointed out by both Kakodkar and Pitroda Committees, there is an urgent need to replace the conventional open-discharge toilets with ‘Green Toilets’ with a view to having cleaner, hygienic and safer railway ecosystem. The DRDO developed bio-toilets are currently under extended trial to test their efficacy and suitability. In the next year, 2,500 coaches will be equipped with these bio-toilets. Trials with retention-evacuation type toilets such as vacuum toilets are also planned on a few premium trains. Based on experience, more number of coaches would be equipped with such green toilets.
New line projects targeted for completion in 2012-13
1.Udhampur-Katra
2.Qazigund-Banihal
3.Bhambewa-Gohana
4.Khamano-Sahnewal
New Line Projects sent to Planning Commission for appraisal:
1.Baddi-Kalka
2.Bilaspur to Leh (via Kullu & Manali)
3.Faizabad-Lalganj via Akbarganj, Maharajganj and Raibarely
4.Ferozepur-Patti
5.Ghanauli-Baddi
6.Ghanoli-Dehradun via Baddi, Nalagarh, Jagadhari, Surajpur, Kala Amb, Paonta Sahib.
7.Hastinapur-Meerut
8.Kasganj-Khurja via Atrauli
9.Patiala - Jakhal/Narwana via Samana
10.Patiala – Kurukshetra
11.Rishikesh-Doiwala
12.Una - Hoshiarpur
13.Udhampur/ Katra – Doda – Bhadarwah and Doda - Kishtwar
14.Yamuna Nagar-Chandigarh via Sadhaura, Narayangarh
New Line Surveys to be taken up during 2012-13
1.Unnao-Purwa-Maurawan-Lucknow
2.Ambedkar Nagar-Baskhari-Jahagirpuri-Azamgarh
3.Pratapgarh-Mandsaur
4.Pehowa to Ponta Sahib via Jagadhri-Yamuna Nagar.
5.Rail link for supply of coal for Rajpur Thermal plant extended up to Chandigarh with additional chord line between Shambhu-Lalru.
6.Dehradun and Purola alongwith banks of River Yamuna.
7.Badmer-Delhi via Pali, Marwar, Luni, Jaipur
8.Hoshiarpur - Phagwara.
9.Rahon -Samrala
New Line Projects sanctioned in 2012-13:-
1.Unchahar – Amethi
2.Rohtak – Hansi via Meham
Gauge Conversion Projects to be completed in 2012-13
1.Kasganj-Bareilly
Doubling Works for completion during 2012-13:-
1.Palwal-TKD Jn. Cabin
2.Sultanpur-Bhadian
New Doubling Projects sanctioned in 2012-13:-
1.Meerut – Muzaffarnagar portion of Meerut-Tapri section
2.Anandvihar – Tilak Bridge IInd and IIIrd line.
3.Laksar – Haridwar Patch Doubling
New Surveys for Doubling Projects sanctioned in 2012-13:-
1.Barabanki-Faizabad-Ayodhya-Jafrabad
2.Allahabad-Varanasi
3.Khurja-Meerut railway line
New Railway Electrification Surveys sanctioned in 2012-13:-
1.Kurukshetra-Kaithal-Narwana
2.Hisar-Jakhal-Ludhiana
3.Moradabad-Aligarh including Bareilly-Chandausi
4.Hisar-Bathinda-Suratgarh-Phalodi-Jodhpur-Bhildi (including Phalodi- Jaisalmer and Samdari-Munabao)
New Express Trains
1.Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Udhampur AC Express (Tri-Weekly) via Ambala, Jalandhar
2.Ajmer-Haridwar Express (Tri-weekly) via Delhi
3.Firozpur-Sriganganagar Express (Daily) via Fazilka,Abohar
4.Kanpur-Amritsar Express (Weekly) via Farrukhabad, Bareilly
5.Chappra-Lucknow Express (Tri-Weekly) via Masrakh,Thawe,Padrauna
6.Anandvihar-Haldia Express(Weekly) via Mughalsarai, Gomoh, Purulia
7.Amritsar- Hazur Sahib Nanded Express (Weekly)
8.Bandra (T)-Delhi Sarai Rohilla Express (Weekly) via Palanpur, Phulera
Additionally, as an endeavour to facilitate rail travel to important places of Sikh pilgrimage, “Guru Parikrama” special trains are proposed to be run on Amritsar-Patna-Nanded routes, where also a large number of people from all sects visit.
New Passenger trains
1.Sriganganagar-Suratgarh Passenger (Daily)
2.Rohtak-Panipat Passenger (Daily)
DEMU
1.Hoshiarpur-Firozpur (Daily)
2.Delhi Sarai Rohilla – Farukhnagar (6 days a week)
Extension of trains
1.12037/12038 New Delhi-Ludhiana Shatabdi Express on 2 days to Moga
2.15013/15014 Kathgodam-Delhi Sarai Rohilla Express to Jodhpur
3.19781/19782/19771/19772 Jaipur-Amritsar Express to Ajmer
4.12687/12688 Dehradun-Chennai Express to Madurai (via Erode)
5.14553/14554 Delhi-Una Himachal Express to Amb Andaura
6.54033/54032 Delhi-Jind Passenger to Narwana
7.54043/54044 Jind-Sirsa Passenger to Hisar
8.54581/54582 Nangal Dam-Una Himachal Passenger to Amb Andaura
9.74001/74002 Delhi-Muzaffarnagar DEMU to Saharanpur
Increase in frequency
1.15903/15904 Dibrugarh-Chandigarh Express 1 to 2 days
2.22451/22452 Chandigarh-Bandra(T) Express 1 to 2 days
3.14009/14010/14019/14020 Chhindwara-Delhi Sarai Rohilla Express 4 to 7 days
4.12641/12642 Nizamuddin Kanniyakumari Express 1 to 2 days
5.12453/12454 New Delhi-Ranchi Rajdhani Express from 1 to 2 days.
6.12457/12458 Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Bikaner Superfast Express from 3 to 7 days.
The Izzat Scheme
The Izzat Scheme was introduced by Mamata Banerjee to enable the underprivileged citizens to travel with pride. Any person with less than 1,500 monthly income can avail benefit of this scheme with a monthly pass for 25 only. To give relief to the poorest sections of the society, I propose to extend the travel distance from 100 km to 150 kms under Izzat Scheme, thus covering all designated suburban sections keeping the rate of 25 unchanged.
Sports
I propose to develop a road map for Railway Sports that facilitates creation of an atmosphere that nurtures excellence, provides the sports-persons the right leverage to excel and equips them with the necessary tools to achieve success. The Railway Sports Promotion Board would be provided the necessary wherewithal to administer promotion of sports in a highly professional manner for ensuring even better performance by railway sports-persons. I also intend to review the entire systems, governance structures and policies relating to sports so that the dominant leadership position of Railways is further enhanced. To begin with, I intend to institute a Rail Khel Ratna Award that would be given to 10 sports-persons every year, based on their current performance. The awardees would be provided world class training to hone their skills further.