Highlights of Indian Railway Budget 2013 - 2014

The Highlights of the Rail Budget 2013 As Presented By Railway Minister PK Bansal.

Rail Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal on Tuesday presented his maiden Rail Budget. There has been no hike in passenger fares, but marginal hike in freight charges, reservation fee, cancellation fee, tatkal charges and supplementary charges. Following are the highlights of the Railway Budget 2013-2014.

Pawan Bansal became the first Congress minister to present the Railway Budget in 17 years.

Some Achievements/Initiatives

• IR enters the one billion tonne Select Club joining Chinese, Russian and US Railways;
• IR also joins Select Club running freight trains of more than 10000 tonne load;
• 'Fuel Adjustment Component' concept to be implemented linking tariffs with movement of fuel prices;
• Target of Rs 1000 crore each fixed for Rail Land Development Authority and IR Station Development Corporation to be raised through PPP in 2013-14;
• 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.
• Measures for improving Safety & Security
• Making a Corporate Safety Plan for a ten year period (2014-2024).
• Elimination of 10797 level crossings during the 12th Plan and no addition of new LCs to the IR system henceforth.
• Introduction of Train Protection Warning System on Automatic Signalling Systems.
• Rigorous trials of the indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System.
• Using 60 kg rails, 260 meter long welded rail panels and improved flash butt welding technology.
• Introduction of 160/200 kmph Self Propelled Accident Relief Trains.
• Induction of crash worthy LHB coaches with anti-climb feature.
• Rehabilitation of identified 17 distressed bridges over next one year.
• Provision of comprehensive fire and smoke detection systems.
• Provision of portable fire extinguishers in Guard-cum-Brake Vans, AC Coaches and Pantry Cars in all trains.
• 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

Rail Based Industries

• New factories/workshops to be set up:
• A new Forged Wheel Factory at Rae Bareli in collaboration with Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited.
• A Greenfield Mainline Electrical Multiple Units (MEMU) manufacturing facility at Bhilwara (Rajasthan) in collaboration with State Government and BHEL.
• A 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.