Ministry of Railways
Press Information Bureau,
Government of India

03-March 2016

For the Convenience, the Highlights of Railway Budget, 2016-17 have been complied in questions and answers format which is given below : –

Rail Budget 2016-17

Q. What is the theme of this Budget?

• To Reorganise, Restructure and Rejuvenate Indian Railways.
  · A new approach, a new way of working – “चलो, मिलकर कुछ नया करें”.
• Objectives:
  Ø to improve customer service,
  Ø regain the lost modal share, and
  Ø to introduce a new way of working by relooking the processes and structures.
• 3 pillars of the strategy :
  Ø Nav Arjan or New revenues (focus on new sources of revenue),
  Ø Nav Manak or New norms (optimising outgo on each activity), and
  Ø Nav Sanrachna or New Structures (revisiting all processes, rules, and structures).

Q Is this budget reform oriented?

• Yes, the Budget 2016-17 focusses on consolidation of the vision set out in the Budget 2015-16.
• Draft Bill on regulator to be finalized
• Restructuring Railway Board on business lines
• Forming cross-sectoral directorates
• Setting up Railway Planning and Investment Organisation
• Setting up a holding company for Railway PSUs
• Creating a separate organization Special Railway Establishment for Strategic Technology & Holistic Advancement (SRESTHA) for R&D
• Creating an organization Special Unit for Transportation Research and Analytics (SUTRA) for data analytics
• Setting up duly empowered missions to take forward 7 activities with time bound targets – missions are for switching over to 25 tonne axle load, increasing speeds, accounting reforms, commissioning 100 sidings/PFTs in 2016-17, preparing a blueprint of utilizing the network once DFC is commissioned, zero accident for safety and for procurement and consumption efficiency.

Q How is capacity augmentation planned?

• Plan Budget is pegged at Rs. 1.21 lakh crore, 21% higher than the expected Plan expenditure in 2015-16.
• 2015-16 will surpass target of commissioning 2,500 km Broad Gauge lines.
• 2016-17 commissioning of 2,800 kms of Broad Gauge track.
• 90 new projects involving a total investment of Rs. 1,26,172 crore covering about 8,432 kms covering new line, doubling, gauge conversion and Metropolitan Transport Project (MTP) included in the Budget.
• In 2016-17, Broad Gauge lines at the rate of over 7 km per day against an average of about 4.3 Km per day in the last 6 years.
• This pace will increase to about 13 kms per day in 2017-18 and 19 kms per day in 2018-19
• Railway Electrification – 1,600 kms to be commissioned in 2015-16; in 2016-17 propose to electrify 2,000 kms.
• High speed passenger corridor from Ahmedabad to Mumbai; SPV to be registered; will bring in modern technology for the country.
• DFC – three new freight corridors: North-South connecting Delhi to Chennai, East-West connecting Kharagpur to Mumbai & East Coast connecting Kharagpur to Vijayawada through innovative financing mechanisms including PPP
• Port connectivity: Tuna Port commissioned in 2015-16 and rail connectivity projects to ports of Jaigarh, Dighi, Rewas and Paradip under implementation. For 2016-17, to take up connectivity for the ports of Nargol and Hazira under PPP.

Q What is there for the Common Man?

• Introduction of Antyodaya Express, a long-distance, fully unreserved, superfast train service, to be operated on dense routes
• Addition of two to four Deen Dayalu coaches in some long distance trains for unreserved travel with facility for potable drinking water and a higher number of mobile charging points
• Sale of tickets through hand held terminals
• Sale of platform tickets through ticket vending machines both cash and card compatible
• E-ticketing facility to foreign debit/credit cards for foreign tourists and NRIs
  Facility of cancellation through the 139 helpline using ‘One Time Password’
• Bar coded tickets, scanners and access control on a pilot basis
• Progressive CCTV coverage at tatkaal counters
• ‘Vikalp’ (Alternative Train Accommodation System) scheme to be expanded to provide choice of accommodation in specific trains to wait-listed passengers.
• IRCTC to manage catering services in a phased manner.
• Extending e-catering services from 45 stations to all 408 ‘A-1’ and ‘A’ class stations.
• Explore making mandatory catering services optional in trains.
• Introducing a new policy where each stall at station can provide multiple products including milk products and OTC medicines
• Option to our customers for drinking tea in kulhad
• To convert all operational halts into commercial halts.
• Information boards in trains to list on-board services and also GPS based digital displays inside coaches to provide information regarding halts.
• A1 class stations to be manned with duly empowered Station Directors supported by cross functional teams.
• Passenger amenities and beautification on stations at pilgrimage centres including Ajmer, Amritsar, Bihar Sharif, Chengannur, Dwarka, Gaya, Haridwar, Mathura, Nagapattinam, Nanded, Nasik, Pali, Parasnath, Puri, Tirupati, Vailankanni, Varanasi and Vasco.
• Aastha circuit trains to connect important pilgrim centres.
• Porters to have new uniforms and train them in soft skills, to be henceforth called sahayak.

Q What is there for Cleanliness?

• ‘Clean my Coach’ service through SMS.
• Ranking of A1 and A stations based on periodic third party audit and passenger feedback.
• Waste segregation and recycling centres.
• ‘Awareness campaigns’ for cleanliness.
• Additional 30,000 bio-toilets.
• Providing portable structures with bio-toilets at all platforms of select stations for senior citizens, Divyang and women travellers.

Q What is there for farmers?

• Encouraging development of cold storage facilities on vacant land near freight terminals. Local farmers and fishermen would be given preferential usage of the facility. A policy in this regard would be issued in the next 3 months.
• Allowing floriculture/horticulture along tracks.

Q What is there for Industry?

• Expanding the freight basket by looking beyond core commodities
• Starting a time-tabled freight container, parcel and special commodity trains on a pilot basis
• Container sector to be opened to all traffic barring coal and specified mineral ores and part-loads during the non-peak season.
• Existing terminals/sheds to grant access to container traffic, where feasible
• Review of tariff policy to evolve a competitive rate structure vis a vis other modes, permit multi-point loading/unloading and apply differentiated tariffs to increase utilization of alternate routes
• Signing long term tariff contracts with key freight customers using pre-determined price escalation principles
• To develop Rail side logistic parks and warehousing in PPP mode
• 10 goods sheds to be developed by Transport Logistics Company of India (TRANSLOC) in 2016-17.
• Inaugurating soon India’s first rail auto hub in Chennai to capture automobile traffic.
• Exploring feasibility of opening up leasing of general purpose wagons.
• Appointing Key Customer Managers to liaison with our major freight stakeholders.

Q. What are the measures for environment and energy conservation?

• To reduce energy consumption in non-traction area by 10% to 15%; all new light provisions will be LED luminaire only
• More than 2,000 locations provided with Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) facility; RWH systems will be provided in a phased manner in all establishments having rooftop areas of more than 200 square metres
• Environmentally friendly composite sleepers made up of recycled plastic waste will be used over all girder bridges
  · Tender documents for 50 MW solar plants at rooftop issued and facility for another 100 MW being set up
• To commission 132.5 MW of windmill power plants in 2016-17
• Automatic coach washing plants to be commissioned in major coaching depots with a holding of more than 500 coaches
• To convert all production units as well as at least one workshop in each Zonal Railway as green industrial unit

Q. Are there any measures in the budget for Staff Welfare?

• To tie up with the Ministry of Health for ensuring an exchange between Railways hospitals and Government hospitals.
• Introduce ‘AYUSH’ systems in 5 Railway hospitals.
• All gang men to be provided devices called ‘Rakshak’ which will intimate them about approaching trains.
• to reduce weight of the tools carried by gangmen while patrolling
• Provide toilets and air-conditioning in cabs for loco pilots.
• one C T Venugopal chair on Strategic Finance, research and policy development
• One Kalpana Chawla chair on geo-spatial technology for IR.
• Rail University at Vadodara
• Skill development on IR premises with Ministry of Skill Development
• Railway Workshops and Production Units to develop ‘Centres of Excellence for Skill Development’, focussing on one/two specialized activities for the general public
• Join hands with prominent NGOs to provide skilling to people in remote areas including wards of Railways employees.

Q. Are there any passenger friendly initiatives to cater to special needs, including Senior Citizens, Divyang (differently-abled) etc?

• Expansion of Sarathi Seva to help old and disabled passengers requiring assistance at stations.
• Strengthen existing services for enabling passengers to book battery operated cars, porter services, pick up and drop, and wheel chair services – Rail Mitra Sewa.
• Ensuring all stations under redevelopment are accessible by Divyang
• At least one Divyang friendly toilet at each platform in A1 class stations in 2016-17.

Q Are there any measures for the business traveller?

• For passengers transiting railway network for freshening up before moving on with their business for the day, hourly booking of retiring rooms to be allowed instead of the existing minimum of 12 hours.
• Retiring rooms to be handed over to IRCTC for management.

Q What is there for Suburban systems?

• Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) III to be taken forward.
• Financial closure and an early award of tenders for two elevated suburban corridors between Churchgate-Virar and CSTM-Panvel
• Raise all low level platforms in Mumbai suburban stations in 2016-17
• Issues related to East West Corridor of Kolkata Metro resolved and Phase I will be completed by June 2018; working on the possibility of extending the East West Corridor by 5 km.
• Reviving the Ring Railway system in Delhi in partnership with the State Government.
• Major programme to build an integrated suburban ecosystem of IR by launching a new investment framework with sharing of equity contribution with the State Governments and ensuring cost neutrality on operations; detailed policy in 4 months.
• Partnership with State Governments of Gujarat, Telengana, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu for developing suburban sections in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai, respectively by deploying innovative financing mechanisms.

Q Are there any measures for Women?

• To make available of children’s menu items on trains.
• Baby foods, hot milk and hot water to be made available on stations
• Changing boards for babies would be provided in train toilets.
• CCTV cameras would continue to be installed in coaches
• Sub-quota in allotment of stalls
• Encouragement to self-help groups to supply food on trains

Q. Are there any measures for youth?

• Open up IR to 100 students across Engineering and MBA schools for 2-6 months’ internships each year.
• Wi-Fi at 400 stations in next two years
• Rs. 50 crore earmarked for Innovation Fund for encouraging innovations and start-ups.

Q. Are there any measures for journalists?

• E-booking of tickets on the concessional passes available to them

Q What is there for the North East & J&K?

• States of Mizoram and Manipur will come on the Broad Gauge map of the country with commissioning of the Kathakal-Bhairabi and Arunachal-Jiribam Gauge Conversion projects.
• Decongestion work on the Jalandhar- Jammu line, an important link to the valley, is going on in full swing. Doubling of two bridges will be commissioned by March 2016, while the other two bridges will be completed by 2016-17.

Q What are the provisions for Technology?

• Integrating various facilities into two mobile apps – one dealing with all ticketing issues and the other for receipt and redressal of complaints and suggestions.
• Physical progress on DFC to be monitored in 2016-17 using latest drone and Geo Spatial based satellite technology
• Initiated system wide integration of IT programs/systems, both horizontal and vertical, akin to an ERP through innovative partnership models.
• Process leading to award of tenders electronically to be rolled out on a Pan-India basis in 2016-17.

Q Is there anything related to innovation and startups?

• Setting aside a sum of Rs. 50 crore for innovation grants to employees, startups and growth oriented small businesses
• Innovation labs to be set up in workshops and production units to support creative innovation by locals and staff.
• Annual innovation challenge
• To develop a Test Track for testing prototypes.

Q What is there for State Governments?

• Creation of Joint Ventures with State Governments for undertaking rail based projects. Received in principle approval from 17 states, out of which 6 MOUs have already been signed.
• 44 new line, gauge conversion and doubling projects proposed in partnership mode

Q How are resources proposed to be mobilized?

• LIC has agreed to invest Rs. 1.5 lakh crore over five years on extremely favourable terms.
• Looking forward to setting up a Fund with multilateral assistance for financing railway projects.
• Non fare revenues
• Station redevelopment will help monetize land and buildings through commercial exploitation of vacant land and space rights over station buildings.
• Monetizing land along tracks
• Monetizing soft assets such as data, software and some of the free services such as PNR enquiry, e-commerce activities on IRCTC website.
• Target to increase the advertising revenues by more than 4 times the current revenues.
• To liberalize the current parcel policies including opening the sector to container train operators
• Expanding our service offerings specially to growing sectors such as e-commerce.
• Pilot project for online booking of parcels.
• Revenues from manufacturing activity of production units and workshops for domestic and international market; revenue targeted at Rs. 4,000 crore by 2020.

Q Make in India

• After agreement for setting up two loco factories in India with an order book of about Rs. 40,000 crore, a similar bid process started for train sets for Rajdhani and Shatabdi services; current procurement to be increased by 30%.
• Production units and workshops to aim at generating annualised revenues of about Rs 4,000 crore by 2020 through manufacturing products for domestic and international markets.

Q Is there anything special for the passenger services?

For the unreserved passenger

• Antyodaya Express, a long-distance, fully unreserved, superfast train service, to be operated on dense routes.
• Addition of two to four Deen Dayalu coaches in some long distance trains with facility for potable drinking water and a higher number of mobile charging points.
• For the reserved passenger
• Humsafar would be fully air-conditioned third AC service with an optional service for meals.
• Tejas will showcase the future of train travel in India. Operating at speeds of 130 kmph and above, it will offer onboard entertainment, local cuisine, Wi-Fi, etc.
• Overnight double-decker, Utkrisht Double-Decker Air-conditioned Yatri (UDAY) Express on the busiest routes.
• Modern coaches
• Designing coaches to ensure higher carrying capacity and automatic doors, bar-code readers, bio-vacuum toilets, water-level indicators, accessible dustbins, ergonomic seating, improved aesthetics, vending machines, entertainment screens, LED lit boards for advertising, PA system.

Q Have any social initiatives been announced?

• IRCTC has begun the process of empanelling Self-help groups for providing catering/cooking services.
• Partnering with NABARD to provide support and access to our IRCTC website to ensure extensive e- marketing for products produced by the Self-help groups.
• Partnered with Khadi and Village Industries Commission to support creation of employment and self-reliance in rural India resulting in the generation of 17 lakh man days; will continue to partner with them
• Will encourage sourcing of products from SC/ST entrepreneurs.

Q Are there any measures related to tourism?

• Partner with the State Governments for operating tourist circuit trains and explore the possibility of a revenue sharing model.
• Recently upgraded our National Rail Museum; promotion of tourism through Railway museums and UNESCO world heritage Railways
• To spread awareness about our National Animal, the Tiger, we will offer complete packages including train journey, safaris and accommodation to cover the wildlife circuit comprising Kanha, Pench and Bandhavgarh.

*********

PIB

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Source: NFIR

The post NFIR – Highly disappointing Rail Budget appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Highlights of the Railway Budget 2016-17

Theme of the Budget : Overcoming challenges – Reorganize, Restructure Rejuvenate Indian Railways: ‘Chalo, Milkar Kuch Naya Karen’

Three pillars of the strategy i.e. Nav Arjan – New revenues, Nav Manak – New norms, Nav Sanrachna – New Structures.

Financial Performance : 2015-16- Savings of Rs. 8,720 crore neutralizing most of the revenue shortfall, expected OR 90%;

2016-17- Targeted Operating Ratio (OR) – 92%, restrict growth of Ordinary Working Expenses by 11.6% after building in immediate impact of 7th PC, reductions planned in diesel and electricity consumption, Revenue generation targeted at Rs. 1,84,820crore.

Investments and Resources : Process bottlenecks overhauled including delegation of powers to functional levels; average capital expenditure over 2009-14 is Rs. 48,100 crore, average growth of 8% per annum.

2015-16 investment would be close to double of the average of previous 5 years.

2016-17 CAPEX pegged at Rs. 1.21 lakh crore; implementation through joint ventures with states, developing new frameworks for PPP, etc.

Vision : By 2020, long-felt desires of the common man to be fulfilled i.e, reserved accommodation on trains available on demand, time tabled freight trains, high end technology to improve safety record, elimination of all unmanned level crossings, improved punctuality, higher average speed of freight trains, semi high speed trains running along the golden quadrilateral, zero direct discharge of human waste. 

2015-16-Achievements : Action initiated on 139 budget announcements of 2015-16. 

Project execution : 2015-16 – assured funding through LIC; commissioning of 2,500 kms Broad Gauge lines; commissioning of 1,600 kms of electrification, highest ever. In 2016-17 – targeted commissioning 2,800 kms of track; commissioning Broad Gauge lines @ over 7 kms per day against an average of about 4.3 kms per day in the last 6 years. Would increase to about 13 kms per day in 2017-18 and 19 kms per day in 2018-19; will generate employment of about 9 crore man days in 2017-18 and 14 crore man days in 2018-19. Outlay for railway electrification increased in 2016-17 by almost 50%; target to electrify 2,000 kms.

Dedicated Freight Corridor : Almost all contracts for civil engineering works to be awarded by March 31st 2016; Rs. 24,000 crore contracts awarded since November 2014 as against Rs. 13,000 crore contracts awarded in last 6 years; propose to take up North-South, East-West & East Coast freight corridors through innovative financing including PPP.

Port connectivity : Tuna Port commissioned and rail connectivity projects to ports of Jaigarh, Dighi, Rewas and Paradip under implementation; implementation of rail connectivity for the ports of Nargol and Hazira under PPP in 2016-17.

North East : BG Lumding-Silchar section in Assam opened thus connecting Barak Valley with rest of the country; Agartala brought on to the BG network. States of Mizoram and Manipur shortly to come on BG map of the country with commissioning of the Kathakal-Bhairabi and Arunachal-Jiribam Gauge Conversion projects.

Jammu and Kashmir : Work on Katra-Banihal section of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project progressing satisfactorily- 35 kms of tunnelling out of total of 95 kms completed; Decongestion work on Jalandhar – Jammu line in full swing and doubling of two bridges to be commissioned by March 2016, while the other two bridges will be completed by 2016-17.

Make in India: Finalised bids for two loco factories; proposed to increase the current procurement of train sets by 30%.

Capacity Building for the future through: Transparency – initiated recruitments online in 2015-16, process now being replicated for all positions, social media being used as a tool to bring in transparency, all procurement including procurement of works moved to the e-platform, completed trial of process leading to award of tender electronically and to be rolled out on a PanIndia basis in 2016-17.

Governance – delegation led to compression of project sanction time to 6-8 months from 2 years earlier, key result areas identified to judge performance of GMs and DRMs, performance related MOUs signed with few Zones, to be replicated for all zones.

Internal audit measures – specialised teams mandated to screen railway operations in specific areas to detect inefficiencies and prevent wastages, every zone preparing 2 reports by March 31, 2016.

Partnerships – Cabinet approval for JVs with State Governments, 17 consented and 6 MOUs signed with State Governments. 44 new partnership works covering about
5,300 kms and valuing about Rs. 92,714 crore have been indicated in the Budget documents.

Customer Interface : Interaction and feedback through social media & dedicated IVRS system.

Making travel comfortable by generating over 65,000 additional berths, installing 2,500 water vending machines; introducing ‘Mahamana Express’ with modern
refurbished coaches; 17,000 bio-toilets in trains; world’s first Bio-Vacuum toilet developed.

Improving punctuality – operations audit for Ghaziabad to Mughalsarai section.

Ticketing: Introduced 1,780 Automatic Ticket Vending Machines, mobile apps & GoIndia smartcard for cashless purchase of UTS and PRS tickets, enhanced capacity of e-ticketing system from 2,000 tickets per minute to 7,200 tickets per minute and to support 1,20,000 concurrent users as against only 40,000 earlier.

Social initiatives: One-time registration for availing concessions while booking tickets online, online booking of wheelchairs & Braille enabled new coaches introduced for the Divyang, increased quota of lower berths for senior citizens and women, middle bays reserved in coaches for women.

Wi-Fi provided in 100 stations, to be provided in 400 more.

Stations being redeveloped – financial bid received for Habibganj, Bhopal; Cabinet approval for stations to be taken up under PPP.

Security through helplines & CCTVs.

Safety – 350 manned level crossings closed, eliminated 1,000 unmanned level crossings, 820 ROB/RUB completed in the current year and work going on in 1,350 of them.

Other major achievements : Energy: annualized savings of Rs. 3,000 crore to be achieved in the next financial year itself, a year earlier than announced; achieved by procuring power directly at competitive rates using IR’s status as Deemed Distribution Licensee.

Rail University – initially identified the National Academy of Indian Railways at Vadodara.

Digital India: application of Track Management System (TMS) launched, inventory management module of TMS has resulted in inventory reduction by 27,000 MT resulting in saving of Rs.64 crore and scrap identification of 22,000 MT equivalent to Rs.53 crore.

The Way Ahead
Improving quality of travel
For the unreserved passenger –Antyodaya Express unreserved, superfast service.

Deen Dayalu coaches – unreserved coaches with potable water and higher number of
mobile charging points.

For the reserved passenger – Humsafar – fully air-conditioned third AC service with an optional service for meals

Tejas – will showcase the future of train travel in India. Will operate at speeds of 130 kmph and above.Will offer onboard services such as entertainment, local cuisine, WiFi, etc. through one service provider for ensuring accountability and improved customer satisfaction

Humsafar and Tejas to ensure cost recovery through tariff and non-tariff measures

UDAY – overnight double-decker, Utkrisht Double-Decker Air-conditioned Yatri Express on the busiest routes, has the potential to increase carrying capacity by almost
40%.

Ticketing: Sale of tickets through hand held terminals; e- ticketing facility to foreign debit/credit cards; bar coded tickets, scanners and access control on a pilot basis. Expansion of Vikalp – train on demand to provide choice of accommodation in specific trains to wait-

listed passengers. E-booking of tickets facility on the concessional passes available to journalists; facility of cancellation through the 139 helpline post verification using ‘One Time Password’ sent on registered phone number, to improve tatkaal services CCTV cameras on windows and periodic audit of PRS website.

Cleanliness -‘Clean my Coach’ service through SMS, ranking of A1 and A stations based on periodic third party audit and passenger feedback; waste segregation and recycling centres; ‘Awareness campaigns’; additional 30,000 bio-toilets; providing portable structures with biotoilets at all platforms of select stations for senior citizens, Divyang and women travellers, plan to explore innovative means of providing and maintaining toilets such as advertisement rights, CSR, voluntary support from social organizations.

Catering and stalls at stations -IRCTC to manage catering services in a phased manner; explore possibility of making catering services optional, adding 10 more IRCTC operated base kitchens; to build local ownership and empowerment, weightage will be given to district domicile holders for commercial licenses at stations. Stoppages: convert all operational halts into commercial halts for the benefit of the common man. Rail Mitra Sewa: expanding Sarathi Seva in Konkan Railway to help the old and disabled passengers, strengthening the existing services for enabling passengers to book battery operated cars, porter services, etc. on a paid basis in addition to the existing pick up and drop, and wheel chair services.

Measures for Divyang: all stations under redevelopment accessible by Divyang; to provide at least one Divyang friendly toilet at each platform in A1 class stations during the next financial year and also ensure availability of wheelchairs in sufficient numbers at these stations.

Travel Insurance to passengers – to offer optional travel insurance for rail journeys at the time of booking.

Hourly booking of retiring rooms – will be handed over to IRCTC.

Expanding the freight basket of IR – to start time-tabled freight container, parcel and special commodity trains on a pilot basis, container sector would be opened to all traffic barring coal, specified mineral ores and part-loads during the non-peak season. All existing terminals/sheds would be granted access to container traffic, where considered feasible. Rationalising the tariff structure – undertake review of tariff policy to evolve a competitive rate structure vis a vis other modes, permit multi-point loading/unloading and apply differentiated tariffs to increase utilization of alternate routes, explore possibility of signing long term tariff contracts with our key freight customers using pre-determined price escalation principles.

Building terminal capacity – proposed to develop Rail side logistics parks and warehousing in PPP mode, 10 goods sheds will be developed by TRANSLOC, the Transport Logistics Company of India, in 2016-17. To soon inaugurate India’s first rail auto hub in Chennai. Encourage development of cold storage facilities on vacant land near freight terminals. Local farmers and fisherman would be given preferential usage of the facility. A policy in this regard would be issued in the next 3 months.

Nurturing customers – will appoint Key Customer Managers to liaison with our major freight stakeholders; each Zonal Railway will develop customer commitment charter indicating service level commitments of IR, will explore the feasibility of opening up leasing of general purpose wagons.

Annex-2 of the speech details the Implementation of Budget announcements 2015-16

Source: Indian Railway

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• No Hike in Passenger Fare
• 65,000 Additional Berths and 17,000 Bio Toilets to be Installed
• Operations Audit to Improve Punctuality of trains Proposed
• Wi Fi Facilities in 400 more Stations
• Stations to be Developed Under PPP Mode
• Award of Civil Contracts for Dedicated Freight Corridor to be Over by the end of this Financial Year
• Capacity of E-Ticketing System to be Enhanced
• Increased Quota of Lower Berth for Senior Citizens and Women
• 820 Robs / Rubs constructed
• Operating Ratio to Increase from 90% to 92% Proposed
• Nargol- Hazira Port Connectivity to be taken up under PPP Mode

There is no hike in passenger fare in this year’s Railway Budget. Presenting the Railway Budget 2016-17 in the Parliament today Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu said the budget seeks to fulfil the long-felt desires of the common man such as reserved accommodation on trains available on demand, time tabled freight trains, high end technology to improve safety record, elimination of all unmanned level crossings, improved punctuality, higher average speed of freight trains, semi high speed trains running along the golden quadrilateral, zero direct discharge of human waste by the year 2020. He said Cabinet approval has been received for re-development of stations under PPP mode.

Shri Suresh Prabhu said the Indian Railways budget proposes to overcome challenges by Reorganizing Restructuring and Rejuvenating Indian Railways with the Slogan “Chalo, Milkar Kuch Naya Karen’”. The strategy for this will have three pillars i.e. Nav Arjan – New revenues, Nav Manak – New norms, and Nav Sanrachna – New Structures.

In order to make travel on Indian Railways more comfortable, the Indian Railways proposes to give more facilities to the passengers . 65,000 additional berths will be provided in the trains and 2500 water vending machines will be installed . The railways have developed world’s first Bio-Vaccum toilet and 17,000 Bio-toilets will be provided in the trains. With the purpose of improving punctuality of trains operations audit from Ghaziabad to Mughalsarai section will be introduced. The Indian Railways proposes to introduce 1,780 Automatic Ticket Vending Machines all over the country with mobile apps and GoIndia smartcard for cashless purchase of UTS and PRS tickets. The capacity of e-ticketing system will be enhanced from 2,000 tickets per minute to 7,200 tickets per minute to support 1,20,000 concurrent users as against 40,000 earlier. 400 more stations will be provided with Wi Fi facilities.

As a part of social initiatives, online booking of wheelchairs and Braille enabled new coaches will be introduced for the Divyang. Increased quota of lower berths for senior citizens and women and reserving middle bays for women in reserved coaches has been proposed. Passengers security will be enhanced through more helplines and CCTVs.

To reduce accidents at level crossings, the budget proposes to eliminate 1000 unmanned level crossings and closures of 350 manned level crossings. 820 Rail Over Bridges (ROB)/ Rail Under Bridges (RUB) will be completed during the current financial year and work is going on in additional 1350 of them.

Referring to the progress of Dedicated Freight Corridor Project the Railway Minister said that almost all contracts for civil engineering works will be awarded by the end of this financial year. He said Rs.24,000 crore worth contracts were awarded since November 2014 as against Rs. 13,000 crore contracts awarded during the last six years. Shri Prabhu said Railways proposes to take up North-South, East-West and East Coast freight corridors through innovative financing including PPP.

Underlining the importance of Jammu and Kashmir and North East the Minister said work on Katra-Banihal section of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project is progressing satisfactorily and 35 kms of tunnelling out of total of 95 kms has been completed. He said decongestion work on Jalandhar – Jammu section is in full swing and doubling of two bridges will be over by next month, while the other two bridges will be completed by 2016-17. In North East , Mizoram and Manipur will shortly come on BG map of the country with commissioning of the Kathakal-Bhairabi and Arunachal-Jiribam Gauge conversion projects.

Giving the progress card of port connectivity projects the Minister informed that Tuna Port connectivity project has been commissioned and rail connectivity projects to ports of Jaigarh, Dighi, Rewas and Paradip are under implementation. He said implementation of rail connectivity for the ports of Nargol and Hazira will be taken up under PPP in 2016-17.

Referring to the financial performance the Minister said during 2015-16 a saving of Rs.8720 crore could be achieved neutralizing the most of the revenue shortfall with operating ratio of 90%. He said the budget proposes operating ratio of 92%, restricting growth of ordinary working expenses by 11.6% after building in immediate impact of 7th PC, reduction in diesel and electricity consumption and Revenue generation of Rs. 1,84,820 crore for 2016-17. He said during 2015-16 investment would be close to double of average of previous five years.

Shri Suresh Prabhu said Railways would be able to achieve annualized savings of Rs.3000 crore in the energy sector during the next financial year itself, a year earlier than announced. He said this could be achieved by procuring power directly at competitive rates.

The Railway Minister said social media will be used as a tool to bring in transparency. All procurement including procurement of works will be moved to e-platform. He said the trial of awarding tender electronically was successful and it will be rolled out on Pan India basis in 2016-17.

Giving an outline of the way ahead, the Minister informed Parliament that his Ministry proposes to take various measures to improve quality of travel which will include introduction of unreserved superfast Antyodaya Express Trains, introduction of Tezas train with the speed of 130 Km. and above with onboard entertainment and Wi Fi etc., unreserved Deen Dayalu coaches with portable water and higher number of mobile charging points and introduction of AC and non AC double decker trains on busy routes with the potential to increase carrying capacity by almost 40%. Sale of tickets through hand held terminals; e- ticketing facility to foreign debit/credit cards; bar coded tickets, expansion of Vikalp – train on demand to provide choice of accommodation in specific trains to wait-listed passengers. E-booking of tickets facility on the concessional passes available to journalists; facility of cancellation through the 139 helpline post verification using ‘One Time Password’ sent on registered phone number, CCTV cameras on tatkal windows and periodic audit of PRS website will also be introduced.

Shri Suresh Prabhu said it is proposed to convert all operational halts into commercial halts for the benefit of common man. The Minister said Sarathi Seva in Konkan Railway will be expanding to help the old and disabled passenger. The existing services for enabling passengers to book battery operated cars, porter services, etc. on a paid basis in addition to the existing pick up and drop, and wheel chair services will be strengthened. All stations under redevelopment will be accessible for Divyang. There will be at least one Divyang friendly toilet at each platform in A1 class stations during the next financial year and availability of wheelchairs in sufficient numbers at these stations will be ensured. Children’s menu items, baby foods, hot milk and hot water would be made available under Janani Sewa.

SMART (Specially Modified Aesthetic Refreshing Travel) Coaches will be introduced to ensure higher carrying capacity and provision of new amenities including automatic doors, bar-code readers, bio-vacuum toilets, water-level indicators, accessible dustbins, ergonomic seating, improved aesthetics, vending machines, entertainment screens, LED lit boards for advertising, PA system. It is also proposed to integrate all facilities into two mobile apps dealing with ticketing issues and for receipt and redressal of complaints and suggestions. With a view to improve customer interface information boards in trains enumerating the on-board services and GPS based digital displays will be installed inside coaches to provide real time information regarding upcoming halts. Work is underway for the installation of a high-tech centralized network of 20,000 screens across 2000 stations for enabling real time flow of information to passengers and also to unlock huge advertising potential. All A1 class stations will be manned with duly empowered Station Directors supported by cross functional teams, to make one person accountable for all facilities on trains.

Shri Suresh Prabhu said it is proposed to take up on priority the provision of passenger amenities and beautification on stations at pilgrimage centres including Ajmer, Amritsar, Bihar Sharif, Chengannur, Dwarka, Gaya, Haridwar, Mathura, Nagapattinam, Nanded, Nasik, Pali, Parasnath, Puri, Tirupati, Vailankanni, Varanasi and Vasco. Aastha circuit trains will be introduced to connect important pilgrim centres.

He said optional travel insurance for rail journeys at the time of booking and clean my coach through sms will also be introduced in due course. High speed passenger corridor from Ahmedabad to Mumbai will be developed with the financial assistance from Government of Japan. FM Radio Stations will be invited to provide train borne entertainment, Rail Bandhu Mazagine will be provided in all reserved coaches in all regional languages.

Referring to the financial performance of 2015-16 the Railway Minister said Stringent economy and austerity measures adopted to contain the Ordinary Working Expenses (O.W.E.) due to which budgeted OWE of Rs 1,19,410 crore decreased in the Revised Estimates 2015-16 to Rs. 1,10,690 crore i.e. by Rs 8,720 crore. BE provided for an appropriation of Rs. 34,900 crore to the Pension Fund. However, based on trend, the pension outgo moderately decreased to Rs. 34,500 crore in RE. Internal resource generation diminished and appropriation to DRF moderated to Rs. 5,500 crore in RE from the BE 2015-16 provisioning of Rs. 7,900 crore. Excess of receipts over expenditure in RE 2015-16 stands at Rs. 11,402.40 crore. Plan size for 2015-16 is currently estimated at 1,00,000 crore i.e. the BE level.

Regarding Budget Estimates 2016-17 the Minister informed that the Gross Traffic Receipts are kept at Rs 1,84,820 crore . Passenger earnings growth has been pegged at 12.4 % and earnings target budgeted at Rs. 51,012 crore. The freight traffic is pegged at incremental traffic of 50 million tonnes, anticipating a healthier growth in the core sector of economy. Goods earnings is accordingly proposed at Rs. 1, 17,933 crore. Other coaching and sundries projected at Rs. 6,185 crore and Rs. 9,590.3 crore respectively. OWE provides for the implementation of the 7th CPC.Pension outgo budgeted at Rs 45,500 crore in 2016-17. Higher staff cost and pension liability impacts the internal resource position of the Railways. Accordingly, appropriation to DRF from revenue placed at Rs 3,200 crore and that from Production Units at Rs 200 crore. A withdrawal of Rs 3,160 crore from DRF on net basis proposed though the gross expenditure to be met from DRF in the Annual Plan estimated at Rs 7,160 crore. Rs 5,750 crore proposed to be appropriated to the Capital fund. With a draw-down of Rs 1,250 crore from previous balances in the fund, plan requirement of Rs 7,000 crore for repayment of principal component of lease charges to IRFC have been met. Railways are preparing a Plan size of Rs. 1,21,000 crore in 2016-17, the Minister added.

PIB

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NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110055

Affiliated to:
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)

No. IV/NFIR/RAIL-BUDGET/PT.II

Dated: 05/01/2016

Shri Suresh Prabhu,
Hon’ble Minister for Railways,
Rail Mantralaya,
Rail Bhavan,
New Delhi.

Respected Sir,

Sub: NFIR’s proposals for Rail Budget 2016-17-reg.

NFIR wishes to bring to your kind notice that the Railway Ministers have made budget pronouncements for Staff Welfare, but, however the following pronouncements have not been implemented till date. Extract of pronouncements are placed below:-

Railway Budget 2009-10

STAFF WELFARE

Item No. 32

“A thrust will be given under the Corporate Welfare Plan for improvement of staff quarters & colonies. During 2009-10, 6550 Staff Quarters are proposed to be constructed.

It is proposed to Open seven Nursing Colleges on Railway land at Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai (Kalyan), Chennai, Secunderabad, Lucknow and Jabalpur on Public Private Partnership model so as to facilitate the wards of the Railway employees in finding a good vocational avenue”.

Railway Budget 2010-11

STAFF WELFARE & HEALTH
Item No. 49 of the Budget Speech:- A new Scheme of ‘House for All’, was launched to provide residences to all Railway employees in the next ten years with the help of Ministry of Urban Development.

Item No. 54 of Budget speech:- It is proposed to set up 50 Creches for children of 80,000 women employees and 20 hostels. Railways will also provide more numbers of community centres and stadiums.

Railway Budget 2011-12

* Extending medical facilities to both dependent father & mother.
* 20 additional hostels for children of Railway employees to be set up.

Railway Budget 2012-13

Railways is a 24×7 service available to the rail-users. To run services at this scale, the employees have to put in long hours of duty without any respite round the year and the compulsion of job creates high stress levels. I therefore intend to introduce a wellness programme for them at their places for early detection. of risk factors, prevention and early treatment of diseases caused due to high blood pressure and sugar levels, obesity and other lifestyle related ailments.

We need to recognize the dedication, hard work and sacrifice of the staff at all levels. To minimize incidence of human error especially amongst the skilled and technical staff including loco pilots, cabin men and gangmen, it is important to ensure proper rest period for them. I am also conscious of the importance of periodic training and creation of a general environment to provide them enhanced dignity. I have also requested NID to design appropriate outfits for various categories of workforce.

Railway Budget 2013-14

Construction of staff quarters has been hampered by funding constraints. Encouraged by the success of Ministry of Urban Development in constructing quarters through PPP mode, I propose to=adopt the same in the Railways. Yet, I have enhanced the fund allocation under staff quarter by 50% over previous year to provide Rs. 3000 crore.

Provision of hostel facilities for single women railway employees at all Divisional Headquarters.

Considering the stress faced by loco-pilots particularly in harsh climatic conditions, it is proposed to provide water closets and air condition the locomotive cabs.

Conduct National Skill Development Programme of the Ministry of Railways to impart skills to the youths in Railway related trades at 25 locations spread across the length and breadth of the country.

Setting up of a multi-disciplinary training institute at Nagpur for imparting training in rail related electronics technologies.

NFIR requests the Hon’ble Railway Minister to see that the Government takes steps for fulfillment of its Budget pronouncements.

II. NFIR also requests the Hon’ble MR to consider making Budget announcements on the following:-

(a) Provision of funds for construction/improvement of Railway Institutes, Community Halls and Holiday Homes.

(b) Provision of adequate funds for construction of new Railway Quarters on replacement account to the extant of 100%.

(c) Sanctioning of Cardiology Department at Northern Railway Central Hospital, New Delhi.

(d) Road Mobile Medical Vans facility for covering all remote and inaccessible areas in Railways.

III. NFIR alsoybrings to the notice of Hon’ble Railway Minister that the condition of Railway Quarters on Indian Railways is awfully bad and many of them deserve demolition. New Quarters are not being built adequately due to inadequate allotment of funds. Federation cites the case of Mumbai area of Western Railway wherein about 1200 Railway quarters (Type-I to Type-IV) have been dismantled by the Railway administration. However, Western Railway authorities have constructed only 447 Railway quarters which is only 37%, of total number demolished. Adequate funds need to be provided for construction of new Quarters atleast equivalent to the number demolished. Also there are over 600 Railway Quarters (Type-I & Type-II) in Mumbai area which do not have separate toilets. The Railway employees and their families living in those quarters in Mumbai are compelled to share common toilets (one toilet shared by 3, to 4 families), thus the lives of employees are miserable.

NFIR requests the Hon’ble MR to consider the points placed above favourably and give decisions.

sd/-
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

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