The Railway Budget (Looking to the future )

The main aim of the Indian Railways this financial year has been to initiate a gamut of commercial, operational and investment oriented initiatives in the freight sector and to improve its share in the transport sector. Also to streamline passenger services to bring about palpable improvement in public services.

A five year Integrated Railway modernization Plan at a cost of Rs. 24,000 cr has been formulated. Plans have been put on the road for the progressive reduction in train accidents. Medical relief trains and trains carrying equipment have been upgraded to run speeds of 100 kmph. In the security front, a recruitment drive for filling vacancies in Railway Police Force (RPF) and for modernization of the RPF is in full swing.

The modernization process of the Indian railways is on the road with the setting up of a wheel manufacturing plant in Chapra. In addition, the setting up of 12 new concrete sleeper plants is being contemplated, five of which are to be set up on immediate need basis.

The Indian Railways has managed to stitch together a record-breaking performance in the first nine months of the current financial year 2006-2007. There has been no increase in passenger fares. In addition, there has been a reduction in first and second AC fares by 18% and 10% respectively.

The current Railway budget 2006-07 aims at giving a major thrust to the public-private partnership in addition to handing out licenses through open bidding to provide on board services in passenger trains.

The Air Conditioned Garib Rath has been introduced as a pilot project. Grameen Ticket booking service has been introduced for unemployed rural youth.

The year sees a constant upsurge in the amount of rail traffic. 55 pairs of new trains are to be introduced and the number of coaches in passenger trains re to be increased.

The Railway Budget 2006-07 includes the largest ever annual plan outlay of Rs. 23475 cr. Rs. 10794 cr is to be generated through internal resources.

Major technological upgradations have been planned with the inclusion of high-tech passenger coaches for more trains.