Maiden rail budget 2014 of the new government has presented a broad vision on what needs to be done in this critical sector in order to upgrade infrastructure and improve operational efficiency.The tone of the budget is cautious with a positive outlook.
Apolitical and professional approach is evident from the fact that no new projects were announced. Instead, funds have been allocated for ongoing projects which are either in advanced stages of completion or are required for capacity building. Thirty such projects needed for capacity augmentation have been listed, for which the Railways has set aside Rs 2,200 crore. These do not include the works accorded “national project” status, funded through gross budgetary support. There are a total of 362 ongoing projects. The number of surveys for new lines has been restricted to 18, doubling and gauge conversion to only 10 lines. However, there will be 58 new trains, over and above the new trains already announced in the Interim Rail Budget in February.
The emphasis this time around was passenger convenience and safety. Many new measures announced are;
- CCTVs at stations.
- Women RPF constables to escort ladies coaches; 4000 women constables to be inducted.
- Better online booking system to support 7200 online tickets per minute.
- Ticket booking through mobile phones and post offices.
- Online platform, unreserved and parking-platform combo tickets.
- Wi-Fi in A-1 & A category stations and in select trains.
- SMS/phone food orders.
- Cleanliness to get 40% more budgetary support.
- Food court at stations.
- RO drinking water at stations and inside trains.
- Retiring rooms at all stations.
Presenting his first RailBudget-2014, Railways Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said that FDI policy will be tweaked to allow foreign investors to park their money in the rail sector. The hitherto un-remunerative PPP policy will also be changed to make it more attractive for private companies. He also stressed upon the need to have a rational tariff and investment policy. Poor operating ratio of 92.5 per is also a concern which is expected to be better next time around.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor was also announced, for which a token Rs 100 crore has been allocated. This will be a part of the “Diamond Quadrilateral” of high-speed trains. The total investment required for one corridor is estimated to be about Rs 62,000 crore, which is expected through the PPP and FDI routes. There are also plans to run semi high speed trains(160-200 kmph) in short distances on nine identified routes, like Delhi-Agra, Delhi-Chandigarh and Mumbai-Goa, Delhi-Kanpur and others.
In his first reaction to the Rail Budget, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “This Budget strengthens institutional mechanism. It focuses on transparency and integrity. It shows the important role of Railways in India’s development journey.”
Avdhesh Goel FCA, ACS, AICWA 