Highlights of Rail Budget 2009-10
* 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
Private participation
Improving passenger amenities in stations and onboard trains, tightening security measures which include raising a special all-woman force would also find mention in the budget.
The sources said more passenger reservation counters would be announced and Tatkal scheme would be made more passenger-friendly besides launching of a new passenger enquiry number 138.
Opening of more affordable food outlets like Janahar and improving hygienic condition in preparation of food for passengers are also likely to find mention.
The Railway Minister is expected to reach out to the farming community by taking forward the kisan vision scheme and announcing introduction of special trains for transportation of farm produce.
Putting its unused land to best use, the minister is set to lay the grounds to woo more private investment for its commercial utilisation.
Railways had already announced tie-up with Health Ministry and HRD Ministry for setting up medical facilities and Kendriya Vidyalays on rail land.
The budget is also expected to lay emphasis on the dedicated freight corridor as the Vision Document has underlined operationalisation of the corridor before 2020.
The document also mentioned optimum utilisation of railway land bank and setting up multi-modal logistic parks and industrial hubs along the corridor.
Interacting with captains of Indian industry earlier this month, the Railway Minister has laid stress on private participation in expansion of rail network.
The revenue sharing model for private participation in laying new rail tracks is likely to find mention in the budget.
Keeping the wagon shortage in mind, the budget might also contain measures to tackle the problem through a new wagon procurement policy.
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