Railway Budget - Highlights

NEW DELHI: Following are the highlights of Railway Budget 2008-09 presented by the Railways Minister, Mr Lalu Prasad, in Parliament.

• Freight traffic target of 785 million tonnes crossed to touch 790 million tonnes.
• Railway plan size increased from Rs 11,000 crore to Rs 30,000 crore in the last four years.
• Set new profit of Rs 25,000 cr in 2007-08.
• 560 railway station platforms to be lengthened to take long trains.
• Middle-level and low-level platforms to be upgraded to high-level platforms in several stations to help commuters.
• Doubling of lines to be given priority.
• Professional agencies being involved on a pilot basis to ensure cleanliness in running trains.
• Second-class Sleeper fares cut by 5%.
• AC-1 fare cut by 7%.
• AC-2 fare cut by 4%.
• AC-3 fare cut by 3%.
• Work on automatic signaling to start in new sections.
• Rlys planning SMARTCARD-based ticketing system.
• Electrification of more routes in North India.
• Foot over bridge along high level platforms.
• In talks with foreign cos for new wagon designs.
• High level platforms in 135 stations.
• Housekeeping in Shatabdi to be outsourced.
• Lifts and escalators in 50 stations.
• Modular toilets to be introduced in trains.
• Rajdhanis, Shatabdis to get modernised coaches.
• Touch screens, colour TVs across all major stations.
• 6,000 automatic ticket sale machines in 2 years.
• By 2010 all coaches to be in stainless steel.
• Rlys to connected to call centres for reservations.
• 16,548 old rail tracks to be renewed.
• Ticket confirmation via mobiles likely.
• Pvt cos can make terminals on Rly land.
• All un-manned crossings to be manned.
• Metal detectors, baggage scan at key stations.
• Display boards to be set up across stations for convenience of passengers.
• 'Go Mumbai' tickets to be sold at bus depots.
• Delhi-JNPT-NavaShev a western freight corridor cleared.
• Multi-level parking at 30 major stations.
• Free Rajdhani, Shatabdi travel for Ashok Chakra winners.
• New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune to be made world-class stations.
• 50% concessions for AIDS patients.
• Free season tickets for girls till graduation.
• Rlys to issue wait-listed e-tickets.
• 50% concession for senior women citizen.
• Arrival time to be printed on tickets.
• To link trains via IT, communications in 2009.
• 10 new Garib Raths, 53 new trains to be introduced.
• Amravati-Mumbai Express -twice a week.
• Khajuraho-Delhi thrice a week.
• Chennai-Salem daily
• Kurla-Howrah frequency twice a week.
• Considering a rail link for Ennore port.
• To have new wagon leasing policy.
• BBU-NDLS Rajdhani thrice a week.
• Expanding use of automated signalling system.
• Special train between Delhi and Pune for Commonwealth Games.