Rail budget 2014: Bullet trains, world-class stations and safety top priority for Gowda

High-speed trains, world-class stations, safe journeys and infusion of foreign investment are likely to be the top priorities as the Narendra Modi led government presents the railway budget for 2014 at 12 pm today.

The ministry is also likely to propose installation of X-ray systems along the tracks to detect faulty parts in trains in the Railway Budget among a series of steps to enhance safety measures for passengers.

Since taking over the Railway Ministry after BJP-led NDA was voted to power, Gowda has maintained that enhancing safety and security of passengers is his prime concern and has advocated all possible steps in this direction. Elimination of unmanned level crossings in a phase-wise manner, one of the key recommendations of the Committee, is also likely to find mention in Gowda’s first Railway Budget.

Gowda is likely to announce pilot project for introduction of automatic closing of doors in Shatabdi coaches and EMU coaches in Mumbai suburban train as safety measures for passengers to prevent any falls from running trains.

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Managing passenger service through cross-subsidy from freight earnings, railways may spell out its policy on FDI to attract foreign capital in expansion of rail infrastructure including modernisation of station and high speed train.

There will be provision for a few new trains including premium and services connecting various pilgrim centres in the Rail Budget 2014-15.Running semi-high-speed trains on select routes might also be a priority.

A report in Times of India said Gowda may announce plans to accelerate the project relating to running bullet trains (300 kmph) on Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridors and increasing the speed of elite Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains to 160-200 kmph.

The high-profile Golden Quadri-lateral Rail Network-linking the four metro cities-might be important highlights of the budget.

Moreover, a n ET report this morning said that Gowdahas been told by Modi that the sprawling Indian railway network has to compare with the best in the world and come out making profits, not just for its own sake but also for the country.Hence, clean trains with improved interiors and exteriors, modernised stations, mechanised cleaning of the coaches and toilets will be top on Gowda’s agenda.

According to an Indian Express report, which quotes sources, “the Railways Ministry is planning to set up cabins equipped with computers, printers, internet and refreshments in a few coaches of select trains - mainly Shatabdis and some medium-distance AC Express trains - on a pilot basis to provide work-related amenities for corporates on the move.”

Currently while Shatabdi trains do provide for plug points and a little tray table to keep your laptop on, this isn’t often the most convenient way to get work done on a train. The biggest issues that commuters face, is the lack of a regular internet connection during train travel as 3G signals are often unavailable. Also,these facilities won’t come cheap, as the report adds that “the department is expected to charge a substantial amount, over and above the fare, from those who opt for the ‘Office on Wheels’ facility.”

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The government is also facing pressure from allies who are forcing a partial rollback of passenger fares but the freight fare hike of 6.5 percent remains unchanged.

According to experts, the first big challenge for the railways is to ensure that a constant increase in freight fares does not take the loads off tracks.

“Freights are becoming expensive. There has to be a balance between freight and passenger fares and get dedicated freight corridor in place soon,” Former Chairman of Railway Board JP Batra told CNN IBN.

Systems like anti collision devices are also in a limbo. Railway has spent Rs 50 crores to develop anti-collision devices since 2006. In December 2013, the former railway ministry told Parliament that a new improved software version had been developed by Konkan Railway which was under evaluation.

Another stalled project is a new train signalling system TPWS. In December 2013 railway minister told Parliament that trials are in progress for TPWS. The trial for the train protection warning system was completed in 2009 after three years of tests.

The budget will also reflect the views of NDA government on Rail Tariff Authority and High Speed Rail Authority.

And even though involvement of private players in big ticket projects is becoming a necessity now, the state-run transporter has to come out with win-win formula for investors in a hassle-free environment.

In its bid to increase carrying capacity of wagons, Gowda may also propose development of higher capacity milk van for National Dairy Development Board, parcel van and light weight wagon for carrying salt.

With the focus on alternative fuel, the budget will have proposals for bio-diesel plant and LNG locomotives in view of increased fuel prices.

The budget will emphasise on switching over to solar power for rail workshops, colonies, hospitals and stations.

With inputs from PTI