AS EXPECTED Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has come out with a populist budget with something to offer to everyone. Coming against the backdrop of the crucial West Bengal elections, where Mamata is a key player, the Rail Budget has tried to mollify the common man as well as the industry keeping in mind the political ramifications of the the entire exercise.
Delivering the Rail Budget in the Parliament on Friday, Mamata Banerjee announced a number of measures to expand the rail network, modernise the technology and railway safety systems as well as to improve the lot of the railway employees.
The Railway Minister has proposed no hike in passenger fares as well as the freight rate in the Rail Budget 2011-12, while announcing the highest-ever plan outlay of Rs 57,630 crore. Out of this Rs 9,583 crore is meant to set up new rail lines and to improve the amenities for passengers.
In her address, Banerjee has proposed an allocation of Rs 9,583 crore for new lines, Rs. 5,406 crore for doubling the lines and Rs. 2,470 crore for gauge conversion projects.
The Railway Minister has also proposed to introduce 56 new Express Trains, 3 new Shatabdis and 9 new Duronto Trains during 2011-12, besides 47 additional suburban services in Mumbai and 50 new suburban services for Kolkata.
To ensure that rail passengers get quality linen, she has proposed additional mechanised laundry units at Nagpur, Chandhigarh and Bhopal. To meet the energy requirements of the Railways, she has proposed to set up a 700 MW gas-based power plant at Thakurli in Maharashtra.
To help the poor as part of social responsibility, the Minister has proposed construction of 10,000 shelter units for track side dwellers in Mumbai, Sealdah, Siliguri, Tiruchirapalli on pilot basis.
The minister has also proposed to extend the concessions to physically handicapped persons in Rajadhani and Shatabdi Trains.
Asserting that bringing social revolution was the chief objective of Railways, she has also announced a non-lapsable fund for social projects under the name of ‘Pradhan Mantri Rail Vikas Yojana’.
Putting an emphasis on safety, the minister has has said that anti-collision devices will be deployed on more routes. She also declared the year 2011-12 as the 'Year of Green Energy' for the Railways and sought to put emphasis on cleaner and greener use of energy.
Mamata also said that 236 more stations will be upgraded as Adarsh stations. For Railway employees, she proposed the extension of medical facilities to dependent parents, scholarships and hostels for children of railway employees.
She also informed that 1.75 lakh posts in Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ are being filled up and steps have been taken to fill up about 13,000 posts in Railway Protection Force.
More On >> Railway Budget 2011, Railway Budget News
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