Highlights of Railway Budget for 2009-10

No hike in passenger fares, freight charges

• Rs 1,102 crore allocated towards improving passenger amenities
• Kolkata metro to be extended
• Rs 50 billion increase in budgetary support in 2009-10
• Freight target for 2009-10 set at 882 million tonnes
• Target set in interim budget unrealistic
• Freight cargo increased 5% in 2008-09
• One doctor to be posted on each long distance train
• Rs.25 monthly pass for unorganised sector employees with income below Rs 1,500 for travel up to 100 km
• New "Yuva" fully air-conditioned train for youth
• Yuva fares Rs.299 up to a distance of 1,500 km and Rs 399 up to 2,500 km
• Student concession to be extended to madarssa students
• Student concession of 60 percent on Kolkata Metro
• Introduction of trains for women during peak seasons
• 12 non-stop trains
• New train information system to be started in Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi
• 50 mobile rail ticket vans to be introduced
• ATMs on 200 mid and small-sized stations
• Integrated security scheme for 140 vulnerable stations
• Setting up of a 1,000 MW power plant
• Special recruitment drive for the physically challenged, minorities
• Committee under Sam Pitroda to commercialise railways' optic fibre network
• Private operation of freight terminals to be encouraged
• New factory in West Bengal for making 500 state-of-the-art coaches annually
• "Janta khana" (peoples' food) to be provided at railway stations
• Railways will not be guided by economic viability, but by social commitment
• Seven nursing colleges to provide employment to railway spouses
• Medical colleges proposed to be opened through public-private partnership model
• Cold storages and cargo facilities to eliminate wastage of perishables
• 50 world class stations to be developed on public-private partnership model
• 309 out of 375 stations will be developed with modern facilities
• 50 stations at tourist, religious places to have integrated facilities
• Infotainment facilities on Rajdhani Express for long distance passengers
• Unreserved ticketing systems to be expanded from 5,000 to 8,000 terminals
• Passengers can buy unreserved tickets at 5,000 post offices
• Air-conditioned double-decker trains for inter-city travel
• SMS updates for wait-listed passengers
• 200 automatic vending machines at key stations for selling tickets
• Discount for press correspondents increased from 30 to 50%
• Discount of 60% on fare if press correspondents travel with spouse