Stressing on financial stability, sound economic principles and safety for millions of travellers each day, Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal began presenting his maiden budget for his ministry here Tuesday.
"The growth of Indian Railways is inextricably linked with the growth of the country," Bansal said in his budget speech in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament. "It must remain financially sustainable. Resources generated must be ploughed back."
The minister said railways remained the single most important catalyst in India's growth story and was a vital organisation integrating the nation from Baramulla in the north to Kanyamumari in the south.
Bansal expressed grief over the loss lives due to the recent stampede at the Allahabad station and said a concrete safety plan would ensure that travel on Indian Railways is hassel free.
He said the remaining 13,000-odd unmanned level crossings will be mechanised.
Highlights of the railway budget presented in the Lok Sabha Tuesday by Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal:
Key points
No increase in passenger fares
Raliways to launch 26 passenger, 67 express trains
Fall in accidents - per million accidents down from .41 to .13
E-ticketing through mobile phones
Free Wi-Fi to be provided on some trains
Six more Rail Neer bottling plants to be set up
Raised four companies of women RPF personnel, and another eight to be raised for women's safety
Highlights
No increase in passenger fares
Rs.6,600 crore increase in earnings from fare adjustment in January
Rs.63,000 crore investment in 2013-14
1,047 million tonnes freight loading estimated during 2013-14
Passenger earnings of Rs 42,000 crore estimated in 2013-14
Indian Railways Institute of Financial Management to be set up at Secunderabad
Chair at Delhi to promote research in reducing carbon footprint
Winners of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Dhyan Chand awards to get free first class passes
Complementary first class passes for parents of unmarried posthumous awardees of Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra
Complementary passes of freedom fighters to be renewed every three years instead of annually
New wheel factory to be set up at Rae Bareli
Greenfiled EMU manufacturing facility at Bhilwara
Railway energy management company to be set up to harness solar and wind energy
1,000 crossings to be energised by solar power
1.51 lakh vacancies to be filled up
Locomotive cabs to be air-conditioned
Azadi Express to be introduced to travel to places associated with
freedom struggle
India in 1 billion tonne freight club
By end of 2013-14, 1,500 km of contracts to be awarded for two dedicated rail corridors
Rs.1 lakh crore target set for public-private-partnership route
Free Wi-Fi to be provided on some trains
Rs.100 crore for improving stations in New Delhi
179 escalators and 400 lifts at A 1 and other select stations
E-ticketing through mobile phones
SMS alerts for passengers on reservation status
Next generation e-ticketing system by end of 2013
Seventeen bridges identified for repair
Smoke and fire detection system envisaged
Fire extinguishers to be kept in guard vans
Corporate plan for 10 years to be drawn up
Raised four companies of women RPF personnel, and another eight to be raised for women's safety
Six more Rail Neer bottling plants to be set up
Losses mounted from Rs.22,500 crore in 2011-12 to Rs.24,600 crore in 2012-13
Planning Commission pegged 12th Plan at Rs.125.19 lakh crore
Fall in accidents - per million accidents down from .41 to .13
Aim to eliminate 31,846 level crossings