Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has presented the Narendra Modi-led BJP government's first full year Rail Budget on 26th February 2015. The Key Themes of the Budget were in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiatives - Swachch Bharat Mission, Make in India and Digital India.
Here are the highlights of the Rail Budget 2015
1. There is no increase in passenger rail fares.
2. No new trains announced.
3. Plan Outlay proposed Rs. 1,00,011 crore, increased by 52%
4. Allocation for passenger amenities up by 67%
5. Rs.8.5 lakh crore will be invested in Railways in next 5 years.
6. 'Operation 5 mins', wherein passengers travelling unreserved can purchase a ticket in 5 minutes.
7. Bio toilets and airplane-type vacuum toilets in trains.
8. Rs 1,000 Nirbhaya Fund, which was lying idle so far, will finally board a train to provide women's safety
9. Surveillance cameras in select coaches and ladies compartments for women's safety without compromising on privacy.
10. Rail tickets can now be booked 120 days in advance.
11. The speed of nine railway corridors will be increased to 160 and 200 kmph
12. 200 more stations to come under Adarsh Station scheme
13. In 400 stations Wi-Fi facility will be provided
14. Facility of online booking of wheelchair for senior citizens.
15. Satellite railway terminals in major cities.
16. Centrally managed Rail Display Network is expected to be introduced in over 2K stations over the next 2 years.
17. All India 24/7 helpline - 138 from March 2015; Toll free No.182 for security.
18. 917 road under-bridges and over-bridges to be constructed to replace 3,438 railway crossings; at a cost of Rs. 6,581 crore.
19. Four Railway Research Centres to start in four universities.
20. A mobile application to address complaints of people is also being developed
21. SMS alert services for passengers to inform them about arrival and departure of trains
22. The facility of e-ticketing to go paper less
23. 24 to 26 coaches in certain identified trains, more general class coaches, ladders to be replaced
24. Introduction of integrated ticketing will be done, a Defence travel system has been developed
to make travel easier
25. Satellite railway terminals in 10 major cities
26. Railways to become prime mover of Indian Economy, Five years action plan proposed
27. Thrust on measurable and sustainable improvement in passenger experience and to make Rail a safer means of travel
28. More General class coaches will be added in identified trains.
29. Train Protection Warning System and Train Collision Avoidance System to be installed on select routes
30. Investment 84% higher, 77 new projects covering 9,400 km of doubling/tripling/quadrupling works proposed
31. Cleanliness in Railways highest priority under Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat
32. A new department for keeping stations and trains clean under Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
