Rail Budget 2014 highlights: 94 paisa of every rupee earned is spent by Railways

Presenting his maiden Railway Budget, rail minister Sadanand Gowda today said of the99 projects taken up in 10 years costing Rs 60,000 crore, only one is complete, while adding that of every rupee earned, 94 paise is spent by Railways, leaving only six paise as surplus.

Defending the passenger fare hike, Gowda saidfare revision was a tough but a necessary decision and it will bring Rs 8,000 crore of additional revenue to the sector.

Below are the highlights of the rail budget 2014:

1. Railways spends 94 percent of its earnings. Gross traffic receipts in 2013-14 was Rs 12,35,558 crore; operating ratio was 94%

2. Railways requires Rs 50,000 crore every year for the next 10 years to finance ongoing projects

3. Indian Railways spent Rs 41,000 crore on laying of 3,700 km of new lines in last 10 years

4. Railways requires Rs 9 lakh cr for funding Diamond Quadrilateral

5. FY15 estimate for surplus seen at only Rs 602 crore

6. Of the 676 projects sanctioned in last ten years, only 356 remain completed. 359 still left to be completed

7. Rail minister proposes private investment in rail infra, excluding rail operations.

8.There was a loss on passenger fare- 23 paisa/passenger/km (2013-14). Passenger fares will be periodically raised as per new tariff policy.30 lakh employees.

9. FY15 total expenditure expected at 1.39 lakh cr

10. There was Rs 41,000 crore investment in laying 3,700 kms of new lines in last 10 years.

Passenger facilities and amenities

1. Work station in select trains

2. Extending service of battery operated cars to help senior citizens and diferently-abled on railway platforms

3. Catering has been a major concern: Pre-cooked ready to eat meals from well known brands will be introduced

4. Food courts on major railway stations.

5.Major stations to have foot-over bridges, elevators, escalators; to launch pilot project for ‘work stations’ on select trains

6. Outsource cleaning activities at 50 major railway stations to private agencies

7. CCTVs will be used at railway stations to monitor cleanliness at stations

8. Online booking facility of railway retiring rooms will be extended to all stations.Ticket booking through post offices, mobile phones to be expanded. Platform, unreserved tickets also can be bought through internet

9. Separate housekeeping wing for cleanliness and sanitation

10. Severe action against vendors delivering unhygienic food, including cancellation of contracts

11. Automatic closing of doors in trains to improve safety

12. 17,000 RPF constables recruited for safety at stations. 4,000 women RPF constables to be recruited

13.Ticket booking through mobile phones and post offices will be popularized. Will allow one lakh users to simultaneously book tickets

14.RO drinking water in trains and on stations to be introduced

15.Especially packaged trains on religious routes

16. More bio-toilets on trains

17.Wifi in all A1 category stations and select trains

18.Mobile based wake-up call & updates for all passengers