HIGHLIGHTS OF THE RAILWAY BUDGET 2012-13
Focus and Long Term Goals
1. Safety; 2. Consolidation; 3. Decongestion & Capacity Augmentation; 4. Modernisation; 5. Improve Operating Ratio from 95% to 74% in terminal year of 12th Five Year Plan.
Measures proposed
§ Setting up of a Railway Safety Authority as a statutory regulatory body as recommended by Kakodkar Committee;
§ Creating Missions as recommended by Pitroda Committee to implement the modernization programme
§ Aligning the Annual Plan investment with five focus areas identified by Kakodkar and Pitroda Committees i.e. (a) Track (b) Bridges (c) Signalling & Telecommunication (d) Rolling Stock and (e) Stations & Freight Terminals.
§ New Board Member (Safety/Research) to be inducted.
§ Rail-Road Grade Separation Corporation to be set up to eliminate level crossings.
§ Plan allocation to priority works so as to reap benefits after completion in a time bound manner
§ Three ‘Safety Villages’ to be set up at Bengaluru, Kharagpur and
Lucknow for skill development for disaster management;
Resource Mobilization
§ Indian Railway Station Development Corporation to be set up to redevelop stations through PPP mode;
§ Logistics Corporation to be set up for development & management of existing railway goods sheds and multi-modal logistics parks.
§ Private investment schemes for Wagon leasing, Sidings, Private Freight Terminals, Container train operations, Rail connectivity projects (R3i and R2C-i) being made more attractive to PPP partners.
§ New Board Member (PPP/Marketing) to be inducted
Metropolitan Projects
§ Works announced for Kolkata Metro last year progressing satisfactorily and some projects being extended to cover new sections.
§ SPV with Andhra Pradesh Government to be set up for commercial management of the MMTS.
§ MRVC to carry out feasibility study for construction of faster corridors
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on CSTM – Panvel and Virar-Vasai-Diva-Panvel sections.
§ Work to be taken up facilitating running of 12-car rakes on Harbour line.
§ Financial modeling of the elevated rail corridor from Churchgate to Virar firmed up with Government of Maharashtra through PPP mode.
§ A pre-feasibility survey for a similar corridor between CST and Kalyan proposed.
§ A National High Speed Rail Authority to be set up.
§ Pre-feasibility studies on six high speed corridors already completed;
study on Delhi-Jaipur-Ajmer-Jodhpur to be taken up in 2012-13.
Cooperation with State Governments
§ MoU signed with Government of Chhatisgarh to develop three rail corridors in state for movement of passenger and freight.
§ 31 projects covering a length of more than 5000 km in 10 states being executed with contribution from state governments.
§ Four projects on cost sharing basis with Governments of Haryana, Andhra Pradesh & West Bengal proposed.
§ 12 projects on cost sharing basis with Government of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan & Maharashtra sent to Planning Commission for approval.
§ 17 projects to facilitate the first and list mile connectivity proactively sanctioned and another 28 projects identified.
Connectivity to neighbouring countries
§ Construction of Jogbani-Biratnagar and Jaynagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas new lines already in progress to provide connectivity to Nepal.
§ Project to connect Agartala with Akhaura in Bangladesh to be taken up in
2012-13.
Rail Based Industries
§ Rail Wheel Plan at Chhapra produced 78 wheels during 2011-12; the plant would be fully commissioned in 2012-13.
§ Rae Bareli coach factory manufactured 10 coaches in 2011-12; phase-II
of the factory would be commissioned in 2012-13.
§ Diesel Component Factory at Dankuni has commenced trial production and would be fully commissioned in 2012-13.
§ Wagon Manufacturing Factory at Kulti and fiat bogey frame unit at
Budge Budge to commence production in 2012-13.
§ A wagon factory to be set up at Sitapali (Ganjam District of Odisha).
§ A rail coach factory with the support of Government of Kerala to be set
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up at Palakkad; two additional new manufacturing units for coaches to be established in the Kutch area in Gujarat and at Kolar in Karnataka with active participation of the State Governments.
§ A plant for manufacture of traction alternators for high horse power diesel locomotives to be set up at Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh.
§ Setting up of a factory at Shyamnagar in West Bengal to manufacture next generation technology propulsion system for use in high power electric locomotives.
§ Augmenting the electric loco Ancillaries Unit of CLW at Dankuni for fabrication of locomotive shells and assembly of three phase locomotives for manufacturing of new generation 9000 HP locomotives.
§ Sick wagon unit ‘Braithwaite’ taken over by Railways has been conferred with Turn Around Award by the Board of Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprise.
Green Initiatives
§ Setting up of 72 MW capacity windmill plants in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
§ Setting up of 200 remote railway stations as ‘green energy stations’
powered entirely by solar energy.
§ Providing solar lighting system at 1000 manned level crossing gates.
§ Introduction of mobile emission test cars to measure pollution level of diesel locomotives.
§ Commissioning of two bio diesel plants at Raipur and Tondiarpet.
§ Introduction of a ‘Green Train’ to run through the pristine forests of
North Bengal.
§ 2500 coaches to be equipped with bio toilets.
Passenger/Rail Users’ Amenities
§ Installation of 321 escalators at important stations of which 50 will be commissioned in 2012-13.
§ 12 State of art mechanized laundries already set up and 6 more to become functional during 2012-13.
§ SMS on passenger mobile phone in case of e-ticket to be accepted as proof of valid reservation.
§ Introduction of regional cuisine at affordable rates; launching of Book-a- meal scheme to provide multiple choice of meals through SMS or email.
§ Setting up of AC Executive lounges at important stations.
§ Setting up of new Rail Neer Plants at Palur in Tamil Nadu and
Ambernath in Maharashtra.
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§ Expansion of housekeeping schemes for trains.
§ Introduction of Rail Bandhu on-board magazines on Rajdhanis, Shatabdis and Duronto trains.
§ Introduction of coin/currency operated ticket vending machines.
§ Introduction of Alternate Train Accommodation System to accommodate waitlisted passengers on alternate trains.
§ Introduction of model rake with world class interiors.
§ Upgradation of 929 stations as Adarsh Stations including 84 stations proposed in 2012-13; 490 stations have been completed so far.
§ Construction of multi-functional complexes at 24 locations completed.
§ Sale of PRS tickets through 151 post offices.
§ Implementation of electronic transmission of RR for freight traffic.
§ Introduction of satellite based real time train information system (SIMRAN) to provide train running information to passengers through SMS, internet, etc.
§ On board passenger displays indicating next halt station and expected arrival time to be introduced.
§ Specially designed coaches for differently-abled persons to be provided in each Mail/Express trains.
§ Engaging reputed professional agencies for pantry cars and base kitchens.
§ Specialised House-keeping body to be set up for cleanliness of stations and the trains.
§ Dedicated Railway Design Centre to be set up in the National Institute of
Design, Ahmedabad.
Coaching terminals
§ Survey and feasiblity study for new coaching terminals at Nemam, Kottayam, Mau and Dankuni to be taken up.
§ Pre-feasibility study for development of Roypuram station in Tamil Nadu for which many representations have been received.
§ New coaching complex at Panvel and coach maintenance complex at Kalamboli in partnership with Government of Maharashtra through CIDCO planned.
§ New coaching terminal at Naihati, the birth place of Rishi Bankim
Chandra Chattopadhyay commemorating him on 175th Birth Anniversary
Annual Plan 2012-13
§ Highest ever plan outlay of `60,100 cr.
o Gross Budgetary Support - `24,000 cr
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o Railway Safety Fund - `2,000 cr
o Internal Resources - `18,050 cr.
o Market Borrowing - `15,000 cr; PPP - `1,050 cr.
§ 725 km new lines, 700 km doubling, 800 km gauge conversion and 1100 km electrification targeted in 2012-13.
§ `6,872 cr provided for new lines, `3,393 cr for doubling, `1,950 cr for gauge conversion, `828 cr for electrification.
Financial Performance 2011-12
§ Loading target reduced by 23 MT to 970 MT.
§ Gross Traffic Receipts fixed at `1,03,917 cr in RE, short by `2,322 cr over Budget Estimates.
§ Ordinary Working Expenses fixed at `75,650 cr, an increase of `2,000 cr over Budget Estimates; Pension payments also up by `1,000 cr.
§ Current dividend liability to be fully discharged.
§ Excess of `1,492 cr as against the budget amount of `5,258 cr.
§ A loan of `3,000 cr extended by MoF to meet requirement of safety related works under Development Fund.
§ Operating Ratio of 95.0% as compared to 91.1% in Budget Estimates.
Budget Estimates 2012-13
§ Freight loading of 1025 MT, 55 MT more than 2011-12.
§ Passenger growth - 5.4%.
§ Gross Traffic Receipts - `1,32,552 cr i.e. 27.6% increase over RE, 2011-
12
§ Ordinary Working Expenses - `84,400 cr.
§ Appropriation to DRF at `9,500 cr and to Pension Fund at `18,500 cr.
§ Dividend payment estimated at `6,676 cr.
§ Loan of `3,000 cr taken in 2011-12 to be fully repaid along with interest.
§ Operating Ratio estimated at 84.9%.
Security
§ Installation of Integrated Security System at all 202 identified stations to be completed in 2012-13.
§ Escorting of trains by RPF/GRP extended to 3500 trains.
§ Integration of RPF helpline with the All India Passenger Helpline.
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Staff Welfare
§ Introduction of a wellness programme for railway staff at their work places.
§ Ensuring proper rest for skilled and technical staff including the running crew.
§ NID to design appropriate outfits for various categories of workforce.
Training and Recruitment
§ Over 80000 persons recruited in 2011-12;
§ Over one lakh persons to be recruited in 2012-13 - backlog of
SC/ST/OBC and other categories to be wiped off.
Sports
§ 7 Railway sportsperson honored with Arjuna Award and Major
Dhyanchand Award in 2011-12.
§ 5 Railway sportsperson qualified for Olympics 2012.
§ Development of a roadmap for railway sports.
§ Institution of ‘Rail Khel Ratna’ Award for 10 rail sports-persons every year.
Concessions
§ Value of concession granted to travelers is more than `800 cr per year.
§ 50% concession in fare in AC-2, AC-3, Chair Car & Sleeper classes to patients suffering from ‘Aplastic Anaemia’ and ‘Sickle Cell Anaemia’.
§ Extending the facility of travel by Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains to Arjuna
Awardees.
§ Travel distance under ‘Izzat Scheme’ to increase from 100 kms to 150 kms.
Suburban Services
§ 75 additional services to run in Mumbai suburban.
§ 18 additional services to be run in Chennai area.
§ 44 new suburban services to be introduced in Kolkata area.
§ 50 new services to be introduced in Kolkata Metro in 2012-13.
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Trains
§ 75 new Express trains to be introduced.
§ 21 new passenger services, 9 DEMU services and 8 MEMU services to be introduced.
§ Run of 39 trains to be extended.
§ Frequency of 23 trains to be increased.
Tariff Proposals
§ Setting up of Railway Tariff Regulatory Authority to be considered;
§ Passenger fares increased by 2 paise per km for suburban and ordinary second class; 3 paise per km for mail/express second class; 5 paise per km for sleeper class; 10 paise per km for AC Chair Car, AC 3 tier and First Class; 15 paise per km for AC 2 tier and 30 paise per km for AC I.
§ Fares to be rounded off to the next nearest five rupees.
§ Minimum fare and platform tickets to cost `5.
§ Fuel Adjustment Component (FAC) in fares contemplated.
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