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Surveys

On the basis of requests received from the Hon'ble Members and State Governments, I have decided to take up several surveys during the next financial year. These are:

New Line Surveys

Gauge Conversion Surveys

Doubling Surveys

Railway Electrification

In the current year, electrification of 425 route Kilometres is envisaged and the following sections are planned to be completed before March 2001:-

• Sirhind- Nangaldam-Una
• Ranaghat-Gede
• Ranaghat-Bongaon

Some of the important routes to be completed in the next year are:-

• East Coast line from Visakhapatnam to Kharagpur. With this, the entire Calcutta-Chennai route will stand electrified.
• Main line of Eastern Railway, (Sitarampur-Mughalsarai) providing alternative electrified route on Asansol-Mughalsarai section.
• Udhna-Jalgaon section linking two important electrified main trunk routes of Delhi-Mumbai via. Western and Central Railways will be electrified.

Industrial Relations & Staff Amenities

Railways have a large human resource base. There is need to further enhance their skills by using modern tools and techniques of the 21^st century along with modern management concepts. There is a need to maintain a cordial relationship between the workers and the management in a large enterprise like Indian Railways. Industrial Relations over Indian Railways remained peaceful and cordial during the year. The grievance redressal machinery under PNM and JCM schemes functioned satisfactorily at all levels.

Sir, I am happy to announce that I propose to enhance the outlay on staff amenities by as much as 45% over the revised estimates for the current year. Railway staff members are highly committed and hardworking and I am proud of them. I would also take this opportunity to announce that keeping in view acute housing difficulties being faced by our employees, a novel housing scheme called "Own Your Own House" scheme is being devised. Detailed modalities in this regard will be worked out soon.

Sports

Sir, I am happy to inform the House that during the year 2000-01, Indian Railway sportspersons performed creditably both at the National and the International level. Many Railway Athletes participated in the Asian Track and Field Athletic Meet held at Jakarta in August, 2000 and won 9 Medals including 3 Gold and 6 Silver in individual events. Apart from this, four Indian Railway athletes were members of the Gold and one Silver Medal winning relay teams.

Sir, the Members will be happy to know that the policy for recruitment of sportspersons has been revised and substantially liberalised to attract more talents. I am also happy to inform the House that we have decided to form a separate sports cadre at gazzetted level with an objective of providing further promotion to outstanding sports persons. Sir, I am also happy to inform the House that the allocation for Railways Sports Promotion Board is proposed to be increased to Rs. 3 cr which is 36% higher over the revised estimate for the current year. This will go a long way in promoting sports activities in the Railways.

Reforms and Restructuring

Sir, If I may be permitted to use a Railway metaphor, I would say that the Indian railways are today standing at a junction station. One track takes them to reforms, revival and rejuvenation. The other track will lead them to a nowhere land of crisis and chaos. Sir, we must make the right choice, sooner, rather than later. We have already set in motion various reform measures. Efforts are underway to generate resources through non-traditional sources. We recognise this task is not going to be easy at all and it cannot be done overnight as well. A system which remained largely unchanged during five decades will need some amount of time, continuity and perseverance with the full support of not only the Central Government but the State Governments as well. Sir, we also feel that in any reform exercise, our employees will be our strength. We feel that no reforms can be successful without full involvement of the people. I would like to assure this House that Railways shall not be privatised.

The House is aware that a Railways Expert Group was set up in 1998. The Group has submitted an Interim Executive Summary of its report very recently, which is under examination. The detailed report is awaited.

Sir, we all know that Railways urgently need modernisation. However, we need to select appropriate technology. We also have to find innovative means of funding this process of modernisation. I am happy to inform the House that I have set up an Advisory Committee under the Chairmanship of Shri Sam Pitroda for suggesting ways and means of initiating comprehensive modernisation of Indian Railways with the application of appropriate technologies. The Committee will also suggest areas for resource mobilisation in various facets of railway functioning.

International Co-operation

In our continuing efforts to promote international co-operation amongst the neighbouring countries, I am happy to inform the House that the rail link between Petrapole in India and Benapole in Bangladesh has recently been restored and opened for goods traffic. This will pave the way for running of passenger services also.

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Rail Budget Speech Part II

Rail Budget for 2001-2002

Brief review of financial performance during 1999-2000
Review of financial performance during the current year
Non-traditional sources of earnings
Safety
Security
FREIGHT : New Initiatives
Passenger Amenities
Catering Services
Health
Tourism
Relief Measures
Konkan Railway Corporation
Metropolitan Transport Projects
Production Units
RDSO
Public Sector Undertakings
Annual Plan 2001-2002
New Trains
Increase in Frequency
Extensions
Service introduced / to be introduced on completion of Gauge Conversion / New Lines / Restoration
New Lines
Gauge Conversion
Doubling
Surveys
Railway Electrification
Industrial Relations & Staff Amenities
Sports
Reforms and Restructuring
International Co-operation

Part II
Budget Estimates 2001-2002
Conclusions