Highlights of the Rail Budget 2013-14 as presented by Railway Minister Mr. P.K.

Bansal relating to the following Headings: Manufacturing: A new wheel factory to be set up at Rae Bareli A greenfield Mainline Electrical Multiple Units (MEMU) manufacturing facility at Bhilwara (Rajasthan) in collaboration with State Government and BHEL. Six more Rail Neer bottling plants to be set up Coach Manufacturing Unit in Sonepat District (Haryana) in collaboration with State Government. A Midlife Rehabilitation Workshop at Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh) in collaboration with the State Government. Bikaner and Pratapgarh workshops to undertake POH of BG wagons. A workshop for repair and rehabilitation of motorized bogies at Misrod (Madhya Pradesh). A new wagon maintenance workshop in Kalahandi (Odisha). A modern signaling equipment facility at Chandigarh through PPP route. Environment: Railway energy Management Company (REMC) to be set up to harness solar and wind energy 1,000 crossings to be energized by solar power Deployment of new generation energy efficient electric locomotives and EMUs. More usage of agro-based and recycled paper and ban use of plastic in catering. Jobs: 1.51 lakh vacancies to be filled up Technology: Locomotive cabs to be air-conditioned Free Wi-Fi to be provided on some trains e-ticketing via mobile phones SMS alerts for passengers on reservation status Smoke and fire detection system to be installed Internet booking to be strengthened with next-generation e-ticketing system to eliminate delays. Next generation e-ticketing system by end of 2013 179 escalators and 400 lifts at A 1 and other select stations Induction of crash worthy LHB coaches with anti-climb feature. Using 60 kg rails, 260 meter long welded rail panels and improved flash butt welding technology. Extension of Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS), Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs), Coin-operated Ticket Vending Machines (CO-TVMs) and schme of JanSadharan Ticket Booking Sevaks (JTBSs).

Safety: Fire extinguishers to be kept in guard vans Smoke and fire detection system to be installed Raised four companies of women RPF personnel, and another eight to be raised for womens safety Seventeen bridges identified for repair Special A/C coaches Anubhuti, to be introduced in select Shatabdi and Rajdhani trains to give excellent ambience with commensurate fareIntroduction of Train Protection Warning System on Automatic Signalling Systems. Induction of crash worthy LHB coaches with anti-climb feature. Using 60 kg rails, 260 meter long welded rail panels and improved flash butt welding technology. Use of fire retardant furnishing materials in coaches. Measures initiated to deal with elephant related accidents. Four companies of women RPF personnel set up and another 8 to be set up to strengthen the security of rail passengers, especially women passengers. Recruitment to RPF with 10% vacancies reserved for women. Introductions: Azadi Express to be introduced to travel to places associated with freedom struggle Common rail-bus ticket to be introduced for Katra-Vaishnodevi pilgrims Internet booking to be provided from 0030 hours to 2330 hours Identification of 104 stations for upgradation in places with more than one million population and of religious significance Special A/C coaches Anubhuti, to be introduced in select Shatabdi and Rajdhani trains to give excellent ambience with commensurate fare Fuel Adjustment Component concept to be implemented linking tariffs with movement of fuel prices; Other Targets/Plans: 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 Corporate plan for 10 years to be drawn up Aim to eliminate 31,846 level crossings Planning Commission pegged 12th Plan at Rs.125.19 lakh crore Making a Corporate Safety Plan for a ten year period (2014-2024). Funds: Rs.100 crore for improving stations in New Delhi. New fund Debt Service Fund to be set up to meet committed liabilities of debt servicing for WB and JICA loans for DFC and other future liabilities.

Facts presented: Railways set to enter 1 billion ton freight club of China, Russia and US 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 0.41 to 0.13 Losses mounted from Rs.22,500 crore in 2011-12 to Rs.24,600 crore in 2012-13 Operating ratio expected to improve to 87.8 per cent in 201314 from 88.8 per cent in the current fiscal 5.2 per cent growth in passenger traffic expected in 201314 Railways set to enter 1 billion ton freight club of China, Russia and US