Indian Railway Budget 2009-2010
(July 03 2009)
Union Railway Minister, Mamata Banerjee presented Indian Railway Budget 2009-2010 on July 03 2009, with no change in passenger fares, freight rates.
RAILWAY BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
Introduction
• “Inclusive growth” and expansion of rail network to reach development to every
corner of the country is core to developmental approach.
• Economically unviable projects need to be viewed with social perspective being
economic necessity for backward areas and under privileged.
• Expert committee to advise on innovative financing and implementation of such
projects.
Service to the Passengers
• Priority will be given to effect perceptible improvement in
Passenger Amenities
Cleanliness
Quality of Railway catering
Safety and Security and
Punctuality
With focus on strict monitoring
• Extensive availability of Janata Khana, national and regional cuisines.
• 50 stations to be developed as world class stations.
• 375 stations to be upgraded as ‘Adarsh Stations’ with basic facilities including drinking
water, adequate toilets, ladies dormitories etc.
• Multi-functional complexes to be constructed at 50 railway stations serving centres of
pilgrimage, tourist and industry. To have shopping facilities, food stalls, budget hotels
etc.
• ‘Onboard house keeping scheme’ to cover 200 additional pairs of trains; ‘improved
linen management’ with modern mechanized automated laundries.
• Expanding facilities like ramps, special signage, lifts, escalators, special coaches for
physically challenged and aged persons.
• Onboard availability of doctors in long-distance trains being considered; ambulance
services to be provided in seven cities to start with.
• On-board infotainment services to be provided on important long-distance intercity
trains.
• Toilet facilities to be introduced in DEMU/MEMU trains with journey time more than
2 hours.
• 1000 new PRS locations to be opened; UTS services to be expanded from 5000 to 8000
locations.
• Automated ticket vending machines to be installed at 200 large and medium sized
stations.
• Taking ticketing to ‘Maa Mati Manush’ – grassroot, through issue of computerized
tickets at Post offices and ‘Mushkil Aasaan’ mobile ticketing service vans.
• Air-conditioned double decker coaches for inter-city travel to be introduced.
Concessions
• ‘Izzat’- A new scheme for travel with dignity. Issue of concessional MST of Rs 25 for
people, with monthly income upto Rs 1,500, in unorganized sector, for travel upto 100
km.
• Press correspondents to get ‘photo identification cum credit cards’ on certification of
PIB and other competent authorities instead of existing system of coupons.
concession of 30% to increase to 50% for Press Correspondents
50% concession for travel with spouse also to be given once a year.
• The existing student concession to be extended to students of Madrasas, higher
Madrasas and senior Madrasas.
• Concessional MST available to students in Kolkata will be applicable for travel in Metro
Rail Kolkata also.
Special Trains
• ‘Only ladies’ EMU trains to start in Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata sub-urban during
office rush hour.
• ‘Yuva Trains’ - New low-cost, air-conditioned, seated accommodation trains, dedicated
specially for young generation and low-income groups.
To run from rural hinterland to major metros/cities; fare to range from Rs 299
upto 1500 km to Rs 399 upto 2500 km.
Weekly service on pilot basis to be introduced within 3 months between Mumbai
to Delhi and Delhi to Kolkata.
• ‘Duronto trains’ - for the first time new Non-stop, point to point train services. Starting
with 12 trains.
Other New Train Services
• 57 new train services to be introduced.
• Extension of 27 trains also envisaged.
• Frequency of 13 trains to be increased.
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Interim Indian Railway Budget 2009-2010
Indian Railway Budget 2008-2009
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