1. No hike in fares: Since the government already announced a hike in passenger fares and freight rates, you can safely assume that the budget will not have any change in fares. The government hiked passenger fares by 14.2% and freight rates by 6.5% on 25 June 2014. The hike would reduce the burden on the government budget by an estimated Rs 6,900 crore.
2. Furnished coaches: People in Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar expect new train connections or extention of existing routes. Railways are also proposing to upgrade interior furnishing of coaches. In the current year, it is proposed to roll out one train with 25 AC and non-AC coaches with improved furnishing, according to one report in the Economic Times. The furnishing of the AC coach is estimated to cost about Rs 38,00,000 while the non-AC coach furnishing will cost about Rs 23,00,000, according to the paper. less
3. Safety: The government is expected to propose installation of X-ray systems along tracks to detect faulty parts in trains, according to one report. Recent accidents due to derailment would mean safety of travel needs an attention. The railway budget needs to make a higher allocation to railway safety.
4. Training: The railway protection force or RPF is under-trained. In many places, railway personnel are overpowered by anti-social elements and crimes committed. The railway budget is expected to make a higher allocation to set up a new academy for advanced training for RPF personnel.
5. Clean Railways: Cleanliness is on top of every passenger’s agenda from Kerala to Punjab and Gujarat to Assam. The railway minister is expected to introduce mechanised cleaning of coaches, cleaner train station scheme and a comprehensive pest and rodent control treatment to provide a comfortable journey, according to a report in Sahara Samay, a television channel.
6. Better food: Many passengers have called for better food to be served at train stations and in trains. The budget could make an announcement to improve standards of food safety and service on the Indian rail network.
7. Upgrade of rail network: Another priority of the railway budget could be to enhance the connectivity to the North East of India. The government is looking to upgrade stations and enhance the use of technology. The government is also likely to attempt use of solar energy, according to a report in the Hindu Business Line.
8. Foreign investment: Another proposal mooted is to open up the railway sector for foreign direct investment. This could enhance efficiencies of the Indian railway network. Foreign money could be invested in coach manufacturing and maintenance, and high-speed rail corridors. The proposed Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor is estimated to cost over Rs 60,000 crore. Foreign investment could help here.
9. High-speed corridors: The government plans to create a ‘Diamond Quadrilateral’, a corridor of high-speed trains between the four metros. The government would need money from foreign investors to push this project. Expect an announcement to that effect.
10. Future of railways: Modernising the railway network that carries 25 million passengers every day is a giant task. it could cost Rs 5,60,000 crore, according to one report in the Times of India. Besides this, safety improvements would cost another Rs 1,00,000 crore. Some experts have suggested converting railways into a corporate body and creating multiple subsidiaries to unlock value out of the assets. A new railway authority can keep an oversight on service standards. The budget commentary on this direction could be watched closely.
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2. Furnished coaches: People in Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar expect new train connections or extention of existing routes. Railways are also proposing to upgrade interior furnishing of coaches. In the current year, it is proposed to roll out one train with 25 AC and non-AC coaches with improved furnishing, according to one report in the Economic Times. The furnishing of the AC coach is estimated to cost about Rs 38,00,000 while the non-AC coach furnishing will cost about Rs 23,00,000, according to the paper. less
3. Safety: The government is expected to propose installation of X-ray systems along tracks to detect faulty parts in trains, according to one report. Recent accidents due to derailment would mean safety of travel needs an attention. The railway budget needs to make a higher allocation to railway safety.
4. Training: The railway protection force or RPF is under-trained. In many places, railway personnel are overpowered by anti-social elements and crimes committed. The railway budget is expected to make a higher allocation to set up a new academy for advanced training for RPF personnel.
5. Clean Railways: Cleanliness is on top of every passenger’s agenda from Kerala to Punjab and Gujarat to Assam. The railway minister is expected to introduce mechanised cleaning of coaches, cleaner train station scheme and a comprehensive pest and rodent control treatment to provide a comfortable journey, according to a report in Sahara Samay, a television channel.
6. Better food: Many passengers have called for better food to be served at train stations and in trains. The budget could make an announcement to improve standards of food safety and service on the Indian rail network.
7. Upgrade of rail network: Another priority of the railway budget could be to enhance the connectivity to the North East of India. The government is looking to upgrade stations and enhance the use of technology. The government is also likely to attempt use of solar energy, according to a report in the Hindu Business Line.
8. Foreign investment: Another proposal mooted is to open up the railway sector for foreign direct investment. This could enhance efficiencies of the Indian railway network. Foreign money could be invested in coach manufacturing and maintenance, and high-speed rail corridors. The proposed Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor is estimated to cost over Rs 60,000 crore. Foreign investment could help here.
9. High-speed corridors: The government plans to create a ‘Diamond Quadrilateral’, a corridor of high-speed trains between the four metros. The government would need money from foreign investors to push this project. Expect an announcement to that effect.
10. Future of railways: Modernising the railway network that carries 25 million passengers every day is a giant task. it could cost Rs 5,60,000 crore, according to one report in the Times of India. Besides this, safety improvements would cost another Rs 1,00,000 crore. Some experts have suggested converting railways into a corporate body and creating multiple subsidiaries to unlock value out of the assets. A new railway authority can keep an oversight on service standards. The budget commentary on this direction could be watched closely.
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