Indian_Rail_budget

Dear all,
Welcome.

Budget: The Resources of Indian Railways are getting limited with lesser allocation of budget. During Eleventh Five year plan, new lines, electrification targets have been made but doubling of tracks had not been complete. The Planning Commission had allocated budgetary provision of 5.19 lakh crores INR. Out of it, 1.94 crore INR for budgetary assistance, 1.05 lakh crores INR for internal resources, 1.20 lakh crores INR for market borrowings & 1 lakh crore INR for Public Pvt. Partnership. The internal resources target is 1.6 times of Eleventh Five Year Plan as it is 10,000 crores INR during first year. The net transportation receipts target is reduced by 6,872 crores INR & making it 1.25 lakh crores INR. The managerial & running expenses is kept 84,400 crores INR but Pension payment is increased by 1,500 crores INR to 20,000 crores INR. The surplus had been estimated to 15,575 crores INR. It is amended to 10,409 crores. The Operating ratio is reduced from 94.9 to 88.8 & situation is likely to improve in 2013-14. Then the net receipts would be 1.43 lakh crores INR, Operational expenses 96,500 crores INR, surplus 12,000 crores INR & Operating raio would be around 87.8. It is also to note that Rail minister had stated that during 2001-02, the operating losses were 4,955 crores INR. It had gone to 24,600 crores INR during 2012-13.

 

Strategic train routes: The Rail budget had tried to bring some new trainlines in strategic border areas adjoining China. The said minister had given them priority & stated that around half a dozen such projects are envisaged. He also declared about Harmooti-NaharLagoon line. 
The Rail minister further stated that new rail contacts for national security are first priority. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramoolah National project & other projects of strategic importance have been kept on top priority. A new railway project for joining Manipur is also being under construction.
Also, he told about increasing pace of rail projects in border areas of Uttarakhand, J&K, Himachal, & Punjab States. It is to note that the Actual Line of Control with China, Tibet and Indian areas have already such rail networks of 10,000 sq. kms.

Routine budget: If the rail fare increase had been issue, it could have been done prior to budget. Even new rail projects could have been declared by any minister. The present budget is under compulsion of Chidambaram not allowing extra budget for railways. As such, it had been similar to old rail budgets.
Also, since it had been made by Congress, it can't blame on other allies to have been the cause of damage to railways. This budget had also seen return of 3,000 crores INR of loan with interest too. Therefore, the railway had increased fare for adjustment of 6,000 crores INR.
The rail minister had got recommendations from many committees like Pitroda committee etc. that it could have paved way for new plan for country's biggest transport infrastructure. This budget is without high speed trains, modernisation, incentives for customers or new techniques. With increase in fare & cancellation of rail tickets, it is a usual budget.
  Waitlisted tickets                       Confirmed tickets
Class Earlier Present                 Class   Earlier  Present
IIOrd.  10      15                        IIOrd.    20       30
IISL    20      30                         IISL      40       60
AC      20      30                         ACIII    60       90
                                              FirstCl.    60      100
                                              ACII       60      100
                                              AC-I       60      120

Amenities: Also, fuel surcharge is a new deduction to be done on Rail tickets. From March onwards, a new e-ticketing system would start which would issue 7200 e-tickets in one minute compared to 2000 at present. Bio-toilets are envisaged. A modernised(Anubhuti) coach would be available in select trains like Wi-Fi facility etc. The Aadhar scheme would be used for pension disbursement to rail employees. 
With regards,

M.K.Pachraiya