Railway Budget 2015: Rail Budget builds on the existing infrastructure, harps on passenger comfort

| Updated: Thursday, February 26, 2015, 16:53 [IST]

New Delhi, Feb 26: Railway Budget, this year, is being looked upon for more than one reason. Being the first rail budget after the NDA government's victory at the Centre, this would be a litmus test for the ministry to meet the expectations of the people.

The pre-poll promises have to be met and it could be a do-or-die situation, especially after their Delhi assembly election debacle.

[Also Read: Railway Budget 2015: History of Indian Railways in years]

What to expect?

[Read: Railway Budget 2015: 5 expectations from Suresh Prabhu]

While railway minister Suresh Prabhu may stay clear of the populist sops, he is likely to highlight the following points:

Better railway infrastructure due to cheaper oil prices
No reduction in fare
Focus on FDI ventures
Cleanliness drives
No new trains
Bullet trains and AC rakes
Make in India in railways
Disabled-friendly railway rakes
IT and Wifi
Security
Green Program

Rail Budget 2015 by @RailMinIndia comes to an end

1:16 pm: Corruption at all levels is affecting common man, we are working on solution to address this menace: Suresh Prabhu

1:13 pm: Kisan Yatra; Incredible Rail for Incredible India

We have launched a mission for water conservation, expansion of water harvesting systems will continue: Suresh Prabhu

1000MV Solar plants to be set-up by developers on Rly/Pvt. Land and on Rly Building at own cost

1:09 pm: Rs.2000 cr for Coastal Connectivity Program; Rs.2500 cr through BOT/Annuity route. 1000 MWSolar plant; 100DEMUs to dual fuel : @sureshpprabhu

Introduction of short-skilled programs for staff and CRPF; yoga included

Full-fledged university for railways

Rs 6581 cr to be invested for railway safety

1:01 pm: JV with major public sector companies for meeting requirements of new lines; 6000 km of the routes to be electrified

12:59 pm: To prevent fire in coaches,we'll install train protection warning system and train collision avoiding system: Suresh Prabhu

‘Kayakalp’ to help in Technology Upgradation #RailBudget2015 Catch it live https://t.co/oMWdz4kDZL
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) February 26, 2015

‘Kayakalp' to help in Technology Upgradation

12:56 pm: IIT-BHU to form a technical research center in the name of Malaviya Chair

12:53 pm: ISRO, IIT to design safety in manned and unmanned level crossing

12:51 pm: Safety concerns for unmanned, manned level crossing and derailments to be addressed by June.

12:50 pm: High-speed train between Mumbai-Ahmedabad

TRANSLOC - new PSU - end to end logistics solution

1330% increase in railway electrification over previous year

Fast track highest priority works. Investment 84% higher; 77 new projects -Doubling, tripling/quadrupling/ electrification

Satellite railway terminals in major cities - 10 select stations

Wifi in 400 railway stations

12:46 pm: 67% more funds allotted for passenger amenities

120 crore provided for lifts and escalators to facilitate movements

Train sets, saving 20% journey time within next 2 years

12:39 pm: Collaboration with NIFT and NID for better bed rolls, inner coach designs

12:35 pm: e-booking for food, wheel chair for the disabled

SMS alert on mobile, customer portal promoting digital India campaign; also help saving paper

24 hour helpline number 138 to start from March 1; safety helpline number 182

12:32 pm: All india 24 X 7 helpline 138 from 1/3/15 ; Toll free No.182 - for security complaints

Multi-lingual e-ticketing, hassle-free registration for the disabled, ticketing in 5-minutes for unreserved compartments

Five drivers:

RT @RailMinIndia: 5 Drivers to execute strategy of MR @sureshprabhu #RailBudget2015 http://t.co/F1T83MGh9X pic.twitter.com/WvsuKPONbh
— MIB India (@MIB_India) February 26, 2015

12:27 pm: 17000 more toilets to be replaced by Bio-Toilets

No increase in passenger fares

Suresh Prabhu discussing the drivers; Rs 8.5 lakh crore investment in the next five years

12:22 pm: Suresh Prabhu,Railway Min Rail Budget 2015 : Railway continue to be our precious national asset

4 Goals for transformation of Indian Railways #RailBudget2015 Catch it live http://t.co/j59XNxsBc9 pic.twitter.com/j1FNZWQUIf
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) February 26, 2015

12:20 pm: Partnerships for investments

12:17 pm: Aim highlights: Deliver to customers, make railways safe, expand and modernise, expand passenger capacity from 21 million to 30 million

Started working on feasible suggestions out of the 20,000 received.

[For numbers, please visit: Railway Budget 2015: Indian Railways in numbers]

492 section of IR -running at a capacity of more than 100%; 228 running between 80-100%

12:15 pm: We have to reconstruct the IR bit by bit

Goods train must be time-tabled

Chronic underinvestment has led to poor development of IR

Investment in Indian Railways is necessary for environment sustainability and well being of future generations: Suresh Prabhu

12:12 pm: Reforms required for ecology too; heavy expectations on railways, despite the fact that it works under constraints.

12:10 pm: Railway Budget begins

11:45 am: Railway minister reaches Parliament

[Read: Prabhu will be 6th railway min to present budget in 5 years: Can this bring a realistic change?]

[Read: Railway Budget 2015: Will Suresh Prabhu's budget give wings to Pm Modi's dreams?]

@sureshpprabhu should cut down all perks of unlimited travelling to Railway employees and it's family. (2/2) #Railwaybudget2015
— AV (@cinemaausher) February 26, 2015

Please ensure an neat railways. At least the basic ones. #RailwayBudget2015.
— Rajesh Majji (@majji_rajesh) February 26, 2015

11:37 am:

11:19 am: Lok Sabha adjourned till 11:30 am after ruckus over Venkaiah's apology row; Opposition threatens that they will not allow Budget unless Naidu seeks apology.