Epaper
Highlights
PM says Mamata has done a commendable job No increase in freight rates No increase in passenger fares Tatkal charges go down, booking time reduced from 5 days to 2 days Unreserved ticketing systems to be expanded from 5,000 to 8,000 terminals Janta khana (peoples’ food) to be provided in railway stations Committee under Sam Pitroda to commercialise railways’ optic fibre network ATMs on 200 mid and small sized stations Aim for 1300 km gauge conversion by 2010 Madrasa students included in concession scheme To set-up North Eastern development funds Ladies special trains to be introduced in Kolkata, Chennai and Delhi Kolkata Metro to be expanded Increased Budgetary support by Rs 5000 crores AC ‘Yuva’ trains at Rs 299 and Rs 399 to be introduced Press correspondents to get 50% concession To launch 57 new trains Non-stop AC ‘Turant’ trains to connect major metros Rs 25 ticket for those with monthly salary under Rs 1500 under the ‘Izzat scheme’ Ladies special trains during peak hours A new scheme called ‘Izzat’ to be introduced To use Railway Land Bank for industrial development To set up a new coach factory in Kanchrapara Computerised tickets from post offices 3000 more unreserved ticketing terminals At least one doctor on long distance train Railways to set up cold storage cargoes Mega logistics hubs in Eastern and Western corridor Launch of premium faster parcel services in three routes Aim to fulfill SC/ST backlog in jobs 18,000 wagons to be acquired by FY 2010 Railway hospitals to be upgraded Commando battalion to be raised for security purposes Integrated security schemes for 130 vulnerable stations Railway recruitment board to be reviewed shortly 7 nursing colleges to be set up on railway land Environmental friendly toilets on trains 49 stations of religious importance to be upgraded Automatic vending machines to be set up at stations Women commandoes to employed for the security of women passengers High-capacity double decker AC coaches on the cards Automatic vending vans to be set up to make ticketing easy Computerised ticketing from post offices SMS update on waitlisted tickets Tickets can be bought from Post Offices Automatic train information systems on major cities Specially designed coaches, escalators and elevators for the physically challenged Depute doctors on long distance trains Book stores, PCOs to be set up across stations Infotainment services on Rajhandi and Shatabdi trains To take the Private-Public partnership route to develop stations Priority for food and water on trains Developing multi-functional complexes at stations Priority to passenger amenities Rail projects shouldn’t be gauged by economic viability but governed by social viability: Mamata To set up panel for financing unvaiilable rail projects Develop 50 stations as world class stations Improvement of trains amenities Railways is trying to keep up with change Committed to the cause of the underpreviliged. Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee begins her speech in Parliament.