<p>In his maiden rail budget, Suresh Prabhu may focus on pending rail reforms with more high speed trains, modernisation of safety systems, energy efficiency, better security environment and amenities for passengers, and administrative restructuring.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Passenger fares are unlikely to change but indirect charges may increase by way of dynamic fares in more trains and some other charges. It is a common knowledge that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given Prabhu a free hand to carry out reforms. <br /><br />Equipped with recommendations from various committees and approvals from the Cabinet, the minister will go ahead with the first phase of rail reforms. This may include disempowering of Railway Board. The process has already been started and general managers have been given powers on deciding tenders following the recommendations of the Sreedharan Committee. <br /><br />The minister is likely to come out with some new mechanism for implementing and funding new projects. He may stress technological upgrade through foreign collaborations. Environment, energy efficiency and adopting solar and wind energy as alternative sources may get priority. <br /><br />Instead to touching passenger fares, Prabhu may opt for indirect earnings through more premium trains. These trains have dynamic fares which change according to the demand. Currently, about 90 trains have such a system. <br /><br /> Prabhu may tap sources such as tourist trains, railway lands and advertising on trains and platforms for better revenue. The Mittal Committee on resource mobilisation has recommended branding of trains in the name of big market brands like Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Amul. <br /><br />However, sources in the ministry deny the possibility of any downward revision of passenger fares following decrease in the oil prices. They say that revision by adjusting fuel adjustment component cannot be done because of increased cost of other inputs.</p>
<p>In his maiden rail budget, Suresh Prabhu may focus on pending rail reforms with more high speed trains, modernisation of safety systems, energy efficiency, better security environment and amenities for passengers, and administrative restructuring.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Passenger fares are unlikely to change but indirect charges may increase by way of dynamic fares in more trains and some other charges. It is a common knowledge that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given Prabhu a free hand to carry out reforms. <br /><br />Equipped with recommendations from various committees and approvals from the Cabinet, the minister will go ahead with the first phase of rail reforms. This may include disempowering of Railway Board. The process has already been started and general managers have been given powers on deciding tenders following the recommendations of the Sreedharan Committee. <br /><br />The minister is likely to come out with some new mechanism for implementing and funding new projects. He may stress technological upgrade through foreign collaborations. Environment, energy efficiency and adopting solar and wind energy as alternative sources may get priority. <br /><br />Instead to touching passenger fares, Prabhu may opt for indirect earnings through more premium trains. These trains have dynamic fares which change according to the demand. Currently, about 90 trains have such a system. <br /><br /> Prabhu may tap sources such as tourist trains, railway lands and advertising on trains and platforms for better revenue. The Mittal Committee on resource mobilisation has recommended branding of trains in the name of big market brands like Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Amul. <br /><br />However, sources in the ministry deny the possibility of any downward revision of passenger fares following decrease in the oil prices. They say that revision by adjusting fuel adjustment component cannot be done because of increased cost of other inputs.</p>
