Highlights of the Rail Budget 2015 by Prabhu

Highlights of the Indian Railway Budget 2015

Highlights of Mr Prabhu's Speech:

1. No increase in passenger fares
2. No new trains announced
3. Tickets can be booked 120 days in advance instead of 60 days to tackle tout menace
4. Outlay for passenger amenities increased by 67%
5. Plan expenditure to go up to a record Rs.
6.  1 lakh crore in 2015-16 from an estimated Rs.
7.  61,500 crore in 2014-15.
8. Central government outlay likely at 41 per cent (Rs.
9. 45,100 crore) in 2015-16
10. We will introduce train sets saving 20% of journey time, similar to bullet trains in design, and that can run on existing tracks
11. The speed passenger trains across nine corridors will be increased to 160-200 km from 110 km
12. SMS alert to be introduced for train timings
13. To introduce air-conditioned coaches for suburban trains
14. Wi-Fi to be available at 400 railway stations
15. To revamp station redevelopment policy completely
16. To have bidding system for redevelopment of stations
17. To develop 10 satellite railway stations this year
18. 800 km of gauge conversion will be commissioned
19. E-catering introduced in 108 trains, can order on IRCTC website
20. To expand water vending machines on more stations
21. On-board entertainment facility could be extended on Shatabdi trains
22. Mobile charging stations will be introduced general class coaches
23. More general class coaches will be added to select trains for benefit of the common man
24. Railways plans to spend over Rs.
25. 8 lakh crore over five years
26. Pension funds, multi-lateral banks have evinced interest in Railways
27. Proposed the best operating ratio in nine years, of 88.5 per cent for 2015-16
28. Railways to go through transformation in five years; to increase track capacity by 10 per cent to 1.38 lakh kilometres
29. Feasibility report of high speed train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad expected by mid-2015
30. Wagon-making scheme to be reviewed to make it easier for private investment
31. To improve cleanliness & design of bed linen
32. All India 24x7 grievances helpline 138 to start soon 
33. 7,000 more toilets to be replaced by Bio-Toilets, New toilets at 650 stations, more  vacuum toilets
34. Passenger travelling unreserved  can procure a ticket within 5 minutes
35. Mobile application to address complaints of people is also being developed
36. Introduction of integrated ticketing will be done
37. Hand-held devices for ticket checkers for moving towards paperless ticketing
38. Centrally managed railway display network in over 2000 stations in next 2 years
39. Railways will play a big role in socio-economic development of the country
40. Railways carry a big burden of expectations
41. Investments in railways will have multiplier effect
42. Railways facilities have not improved significantly over last few years
43. The cycle of under-investment should end
44. Railways has to regain in share in freight traffic
45. Railways aims to deliver a sustainable improvement in customer experience and make rail a safer means of travel
46. Objective is to make Railways self-sustainable
47. Rail-cum-road ticket to be extended to many stations
48. We are committed to provide rail connectivity to North Eastern states
49. Transport Logistic Corporation of India to be set up to aid expanding freight handling capacity and provide end-to-end logistic solutions
50. PPP model will help to augment resources and generate more employment
51. 6608 kms of track to be electrified
52. Projects worth Rs.
53.  96,182 crore to expand capacity of 9,420 km rail lines
54. CCTVs to be introduced in select trains and suburban trains for women safety
55. Train Protection Warning System, Train Collision Avoidance System
56. Projects for rail connectivity to many ports and mines
57. To monetize assets rather than sell them
58. To set up full-fledged Railway University in FY16Rs.
59. 2000 crore for Coastal Connectivity Program; Rs.
60. 2500 crore through BOT/Annuity route
61. Drawing up comprehensive policy to tap latent advertising potential
62. Online application for all recruitment process
63. To impart soft skills to our staff we intend to impart regular training 
64. 917 safety work projects to eliminate over 3,000 unmanned crossings in all states
65. PPP cell to be revamped to make it result oriented
66. Railways can't function as business as usual mode
67. To set up infra fund, JV with IRFC for long-term funding