10 goodies for passengers in the interim Rail Budget 2014

Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge may not have got the chance to read out his maiden railway budget to completion but he still managed to squeeze in a few goodies for passengers. Here are some of them: No passenger fare hikes : On expected lines the Railway Minister hasn’t increased the passenger fares for this year. 17 New Premium Trains: The Railway Minister announced 17 new premium trains , 38 Express Trains and 10 Passenger Trains have been proposed. Mumbai’s first airconditioned local train this year: The country’s financial capital will finally get its first air-conditioned local train by July 2014, the Railway Minister has said. Escalators at more stations: Kharge said that 48 escalators at train stations have becoming operational, 61 more have been sanctioned. [caption id=“attachment_1386021” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Better conditions for passengers. Reuters[/caption] Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya to finally be on railway map: Indian Railways will finally connect to Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh with the Harmuti-Naharlagun line to be commissioned shortly. Meghalaya will also be connected by March 2014 with the Dudhnoi – Mehendipathar line. New safety measures: After multiple fires on board trains after he took charge, Kharge announced that a Comprehensive Fire and Smoke Detection System is on trial on two rakes of Rajdhani Express trains. Portable fire extinguishers will be provided in AC coaches, guard-cum-luggage vans, pantry cars and locomotives. More pleasant railway termini: The railways have said that they will be improving the “aesthetic ambience” along tracks close to major stations. The railways will create ‘Green Curtains’ at Agra and Jaipur stations to start with. Display systems in trains: The budget has said that important trains will have a Passenger Information Display System to indicate the next station and expected arrival time. Trains to Vaishnodevi: The Railway Minister has announced that the trial runs of trains on the Udhampur-Katra line have begun and will be operational shortly. Mobile services for passengers: Among the new initiatives that passengers can expect from the Indian Railways in the coming year include booking unreserved tickets through mobile phones, PNR status updates to passengers through SMS, updates to passengers on on train running information and online booking of meals for some trains.