Railway Budget 2012-13

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE RAILWAY BUDGET 2012-13

Focus and Long Term Goals

·        Safety;

·        Consolidation;

·        Decongestion & Capacity Augmentation;

·        Modernization;

·        Improve Operating Ratio from 95% to 74% in terminal year of 12th Five Year Plan.

Measures proposed

·        Setting up of a Railway Safety Authority as a statutory regulatory body as recommended by Kakodkar Committee;

·        Creating Missions as recommended by Pitroda Committee to implement the modernization programme.

·        Aligning the Annual Plan investment with five focus areas identified by Kakodkar and Pitroda Committees i.e.

·        Track

·        Bridges

·        Signalling & Telecommunication

·        Rolling Stock and

·        Stations & Freight Terminals.

·        New Board Member (Safety/Research) to be inducted.

·        Rail-Road Grade Separation Corporation to be set up to eliminate level crossings.

·        Plan allocation to priority works so as to reap benefits after completion in a time bound manner

·        Three ‘Safety Villages’ to be set up at Bengaluru, Kharagpur and Lucknow for skill evelopment for disaster management;

Resource Mobilization

·        Indian Railway Station Development Corporation to be set up to redevelop stations through PPP mode;

·        Logistics Corporation to be set up for development & management of existing railway goods sheds and multi-modal logistics parks.

·        Private investment schemes for Wagon leasing, Sidings, Private Freight Terminals, Container train operations, Rail connectivity projects (R3i and R2C-i) being made more attractive to PPP partners.

·        New Board Member (PPP/Marketing) to be inducted.

Metropolitan Projects

·        Works announced for Kolkata Metro last year progressing satisfactorily and some projects being extended to cover new sections.

·        SPV with Andhra Pradesh Government to be set up for commercial management of the MMTS.

·        MRVC to carry out feasibility study for construction of faster corridors on CSTM – Panvel and Virar-Vasai-Diva-Panvel sections.

·        Work to be taken up facilitating running of 12-car rakes on Harbour line.

·        Financial modeling of the elevated rail corridor from Churchgate to Virar firmed up with Government of Maharashtra through PPP mode.

·        A pre-feasibility survey for a similar corridor between CST and Kalyan proposed.

·        A National High Speed Rail Authority to be set up.

·        Pre-feasibility studies on six high speed corridors already completed; study on Delhi-Jaipur-Ajmer-Jodhpur to be taken up in 2012-13.

Cooperation with State Governments

·        MoU signed with Government of Chhatisgarh to develop three rail corridors in state for movement of passenger and freight.

·        31 projects covering a length of more than 5000 km in 10 states being executed with contribution from state governments.

·        Four projects on cost sharing basis with Governments of Haryana, Andhra Pradesh & West Bengal proposed.

·        12 projects on cost sharing basis with Government of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan & Maharashtra sent to Planning Commission for approval.

·        17 projects to facilitate the first and list mile connectivity proactively sanctioned and another 28 projects identified.

Connectivity to neighbouring countries

·        Construction of Jogbani-Biratnagar and Jaynagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas new lines already in progress to provide connectivity to Nepal.

·        Project to connect Agartala with Akhaura in Bangladesh to be taken up in 2012-13.

Rail Based Industries

·        Rail Wheel Plan at Chhapra produced 78 wheels during 2011-12; the plant would be fully commissioned in 2012-13.

·        Rae Bareli coach factory manufactured 10 coaches in 2011-12; phase-II of the factory would be commissioned in 2012-13.

·        Diesel Component Factory at Dankuni has commenced trial production and would be fully commissioned in 2012-13.

·        Wagon Manufacturing Factory at Kulti and fiat bogey frame unit at Budge Budge to commence production in 2012-13.

·        A wagon factory to be set up at Sitapali (Ganjam District of Odisha).

·        A rail coach factory with the support of Government of Kerala to be set up at Palakkad; two additional new manufacturing units for coaches to be established in the Kutch area in Gujarat and at Kolar in Karnataka with active participation of the State Governments.

·        A plant for manufacture of traction alternators for high horse power diesel locomotives to be set up at Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh.

·        Setting up of a factory at Shyamnagar in West Bengal to manufacture next generation technology propulsion system for use in high power electric locomotives.

·        Augmenting the electric loco Ancillaries Unit of CLW at Dankuni for fabrication of locomotive shells and assembly of three phase locomotives for manufacturing of new generation 9000 HP locomotives.

·        Sick wagon unit ‘Braithwaite’ taken over by Railways has been conferred with Turn Around Award by the Board of Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprise.

Green Initiatives

·        Setting up of 72 MW capacity windmill plants in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

·        Setting up of 200 remote railway stations as ‘green energy stations’ powered entirely by solar energy.

·        Providing solar lighting system at 1000 manned level crossing gates.

·        Introduction of mobile emission test cars to measure pollution level of diesel locomotives.

·        Commissioning of two bio diesel plants at Raipur and Tondiarpet.

·        Introduction of a ‘Green Train’ to run through the pristine forests of North Bengal.

·        2500 coaches to be equipped with bio toilets.

Passenger/Rail Users’ Amenities

·        Installation of 321 escalators at important stations of which 50 will be commissioned in 2012-13.

·        12 State of art mechanized laundries already set up and 6 more to become functional during 2012-13.

·        SMS on passenger mobile phone in case of e-ticket to be accepted as proof of valid reservation.

·        Introduction of regional cuisine at affordable rates; launching of Book-a meal scheme to provide multiple choices of meals through SMS or email.

·        Setting up of AC Executive lounges at important stations.

·        Setting up of new Rail Neer Plants at Palur in Tamil Nadu and Ambernath in Maharashtra.

·        Expansion of housekeeping schemes for trains.

·        Introduction of Rail Bandhu on-board magazines on Rajdhanis, Shatabdis and Duronto trains.

·        Introduction of coin/currency operated ticket vending machines.

·        Introduction of Alternate Train Accommodation System to accommodate waitlisted passengers on alternate trains.

·        Introduction of model rake with world class interiors.

·        Upgradation of 929 stations as Adarsh Stations including 84 stations proposed in 2012-13; 490 stations have been completed so far.

·        Construction of multi-functional complexes at 24 locations completed.

·        Sale of PRS tickets through 151 post offices.

·        Implementation of electronic transmission of RR for freight traffic.

·        Introduction of satellite based real time train information system (SIMRAN) to provide train running information to passengers through SMS, internet, etc.

·        On board passenger displays indicating next halt station and expected arrival time to be introduced.

·        Specially designed coaches for differently-abled persons to be provided in each Mail/Express trains.

·        Engaging reputed professional agencies for pantry cars and base kitchens.

·        Specialized House-keeping body to be set up for cleanliness of stations and the trains.

·        Dedicated Railway Design Centre to be set up in the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.

Coaching terminals

·        Survey and feasibility study for new coaching terminals at Nemam, Kottayam, Mau and Dankuni to be taken up.

·        Pre-feasibility study for development of Roypuram station in Tamil Nadu for which many representations have been received.

·        New coaching complex at Panvel and coach maintenance complex at Kalamboli in partnership with Government of Maharashtra through CIDCO planned.

·        New coaching terminal at Naihati, the birth place of Rishi Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay commemorating him on 175th Birth Anniversary

Annual Plan 2012-13

·        Highest ever plan outlay of Rs.60,100 cr.

·        Gross Budgetary Support – Rs.24,000 cr

·        Railway Safety Fund – Rs.2,000 cr

·        Internal Resources – Rs.18,050 cr.

·        Market Borrowing – Rs.15,000 cr; PPP – Rs.1,050 cr.

·        725 km new lines, 700 km doubling, 800 km gauge conversion and 1100 km electrification targeted in 2012-13.

·        Rs.6,872 cr provided for new lines, Rs.3,393 cr for doubling, Rs.1,950 cr for gauge conversion, Rs.828 cr for electrification.

Financial Performance 2011-12

·        Loading target reduced by 23 MT to 970 MT.

·        Gross Traffic Receipts fixed at Rs.1,03,917 cr in RE, short by Rs.2,322 cr over Budget Estimates.

·        Ordinary Working Expenses fixed at Rs.75,650 cr, an increase of Rs.2,000 cr over Budget Estimates; Pension payments also up by Rs. 1,000 cr.

·        Current dividend liability to be fully discharged.

·        Excess of Rs.1,492 cr as against the budget amount of Rs.5,258 cr.

·        A loan of Rs.3,000 cr extended by MoF to meet requirement of safety related works under Development Fund.

·        Operating Ratio of 95.0% as compared to 91.1% in Budget Estimates.

Budget Estimates 2012-13

·        Freight loading of 1025 MT, 55 MT more than 2011-12.

·        Passenger growth - 5.4%.

·        Gross Traffic Receipts – Rs.1,32,552 cr i.e. 27.6% increase over RE, 2011-12.

·        Ordinary Working Expenses – Rs.84,400 cr.

·        Appropriation to DRF at Rs.9,500 cr and to Pension Fund at Rs.18,500 cr.

·        Dividend payment estimated at Rs.6,676 cr.

·        Loan of Rs.3,000 cr taken in 2011-12 to be fully repaid along with interest.

·        Operating Ratio estimated at 84.9%.

Security

·        Installation of Integrated Security System at all 202 identified stations to be completed in 2012-13.

·        Escorting of trains by RPF/GRP extended to 3500 trains.

·        Integration of RPF helpline with the All India Passenger Helpline.

Staff Welfare

·        Introduction of a wellness programme for railway staff at their work places.

·        Ensuring proper rest for skilled and technical staff including the running crew.

·        NID to design appropriate outfits for various categories of workforce.

Training and Recruitment

·        Over 80000 persons recruited in 2011-12;

·        Over one lakh persons to be recruited in 2012-13 - backlog of SC/ST/OBC and other categories to be wiped off.

Sports

·        7 Railway sportsperson honored with Arjuna Award and Major Dhyanchand Award in 2011-12.

·        5 Railway sportsperson qualified for Olympics 2012.

·        Development of a roadmap for railway sports.

·        Institution of ‘Rail Khel Ratna’ Award for 10 rail sports-persons every year.

Concessions

·        Value of concession granted to travelers is more than Rs.800 cr per year.

·        50% concession in fare in AC-2, AC-3, Chair Car & Sleeper classes to patients suffering from ‘Aplastic Anaemia’ and ‘Sickle Cell Anaemia’.

·        Extending the facility of travel by Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains to Arjuna Awardees.

·        Travel distance under ‘Izzat Scheme’ to increase from 100 kms to 150 kms.

Suburban Services

·        75 additional services to run in Mumbai suburban.

·        18 additional services to be run in Chennai area.

·        44 new suburban services to be introduced in Kolkata area.

·        50 new services to be introduced in Kolkata Metro in 2012-13.

Trains

·        75 new Express trains to be introduced.

·        21 new passenger services, 9 DEMU services and 8 MEMU services to be introduced.

·        Run of 39 trains to be extended.

·        Frequency of 23 trains to be increased.

Tariff Proposals

·        Setting up of Railway Tariff Regulatory Authority to be considered;

·        Passenger fares increased by 2 paise per km for suburban and ordinary second class; 3 paise per km for mail/express second class; 5 paise per km for sleeper class; 10 paise per km for AC Chair Car, AC 3 tier and First Class; 15 paise per km for AC 2 tier and 30 paise per km for AC I.

·        Fares to be rounded off to the next nearest five rupees.

·        Minimum fare and platform tickets to cost Rs.5.

·        Fuel Adjustment Component (FAC) in fares contemplated.

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