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Prime Minister Appreciates Rail Budget

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has praised the Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee for presenting a pro-people Rail budget. Acknowledging her work as a 'competent job in a short notice', Singh said that Rail budget will surely make train travel an "enjoyable experience".

Talking to mediapersons outside the Parliament, Singh said,"She has prepared a budget which does not impose burden by way of increase in freight charges or passenger charges. At the same time, she has, in keeping with our government's election promises, focused her attention on passenger amenities like security and safety of rail travel, making it an enjoyable experience. I, therefore, compliment her for a competent job she has accomplished in shortest available time."

No Increase in Passenger Fares, Freight Rates in Rail Budget
Rail fares and freight tariffs will not be raised this year in view of the economic recession, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee announced in the Railway Budget 2009-2010 on Friday.

In her rail budget speech in the Lok Sabha, Mamata said the downturn had "caused much economic burden on the poor".

"I am also aware the economic recession has caused much economic burden on the poor section of the society also," she said, presenting its budget for 2009/10. "That's why I do not propose any increase in the passenger fares. Similarly I do not intend to increase the freight rates."

This is Mamata Banerjee's first rail budget for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and third in her political career.

Rail Budget Highlights

• SMS updates to indicate berth and confirmation status
• E-ticketing simplified
• 49 stations of religious importance to be upgraded
• Tatkal scheme to be reduced from 5 days to 2 days
• No increase in passenger fares across classes
• Toilets to be similar to ones in aircrafts; facilities for every journey longer than 2 hours
• Multi-functional utilities like bookstores and STD booths will be made available in stations
• Cold storage facilities for farmers to store produce
• Non-stop AC 'Turant' trains to be introduced
• 12 new 'Turant' AC sleeper trains between major metros
• Optic fibre network to be optimised
• Increase number of women commandos in key routes
• Hospitals to be developed for railway staff
• Girl child scholarship for Group B Rail employees
• Cold storage facilities to be developed
• Mechanised laundry to be provided at key stations
• 11,000 MW power project for traction support
• Metro concession in Kolkata to minority students
• Launch of premium parcel service between 3 stations
• Total working expenditure estimated at Rs 81,685cr
• New scheme called 'Ijjat' for low income monthly travel
• Press correspondents to get 50% concession
• Commando unit to be raised, women unit will also be there
• Integrated security system for 140 sensitive stations
• ADGM of each zone will be responsible for supervision
• Ambulance services for passenger in metro cities to start with
• Ramps, special bogeys for physically challenged and senior citizens
• Rail over and under bridges : Centre-state funding to be reviewed
• Security will be priority : both on stations and on board
• 50 stations to be class-1 stations with world class facilities
• Doctors on long-distance trains
• Focus on cleaner trains
• Multi-function complexes in station premises
• Special facilities to be provided at 375 stations
• Airconditioned double decker coaches will be rolled out for intercity commuters
• Passengers can now buy computerised tickets from over 5000 post-offices
• ATMs on 200 mid and small sized stations
• New train information system to be started in Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi
• Launch of premium parcel service between 3 stations
• New policy to allow private freight terminal
• Railways to lease out land for commercial purposes
• Special recruitment drive to fill up physically challenged posts
• Metro Rail Hospital in Tollygunj to be upgraded
• Mamata Banerjee presents Railway Budget 2009-2010

Mamata Banerjee begins rail budget speech in Lok Sabha

Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has begun the presentation of railway budget 2009-2010 in Lok Sabha. The Minister, it is believed, is preparing to present a people-friendly budget.

According to sources close to her, the Budget in a way would reflect Mamata's vision for the Railways in the coming years and means of generating resources for key projects.

Mamata might also extend incentives in freight transport to boost loadings and keep the industry happy in the time of recession, the sources said.

She might also push for carrying out railway projects under public-private participation model for which she has already made her stand clear.

The Budget is likely to see introduction of more Janata type and superfast trains on the lines of Garib Raths albeit with different names.

Besides the budget might also find a mention about re-introduction of economic food items at stations like poori-sabzi.

Mamata has also said that the budget was being prepared in accordance with the situation of Railways at present in the country.

Announcement of more rail overbridges and rail underbridges at unmanned level crossings to curb accidents may also find a mention in the budget.

Access control, baggage screening, CCTV installation and bomb detection and disposal system are to be introduced as critical component of the integrated security system at stations.

Filling up of vacant posts in the RPF and modernising the fleet along with providing special training to the forces in view of the enhanced security threat perception is also expected in the budget.