Railway earnings set to exceed one lakh crore, claims Mamata

New Delhi, Feb 25 (ANI): Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today said that Railways' earnings are set to exceed the Rs one lakh crore mark.

Presenting the Railway Budget for 2011-12, Banerjee said: "On the basis of freight traffic projection of 993 million tones and passenger growth of 6.4 per cent over 2010-11, the Gross Traffic Receipts are estimated at Rs. 1,06,239 crore assuming a clearance of Rs. 200 crore from traffic suspense.

"This represents an increase of 9.9 per cent over revised estimates of 2010-11 to cater for annual increments of salaries, DA, higher requirement for fuel and materials for increased level of activity and lease payments," she added.

She said the appropriation to Pension Fund is placed at Rs. 15,800 crore and to Depreciation Reserve Fund at Rs. 7,000 crore. Thus, as per the Railway Budget, total working expenses are placed at Rs. 96,450 crore.

"A provision of Rs. 6,735 crore has been made for dividend payment leaving an "Excess" of Rs. 5,258 crore to be utilized for development fund and capital fund," he added.

The Railway Minister said that as per the budget estimates for 2011-12, the expected operating ratio is 91.1 per cent. (ANI)