Budget 2018 | At an estimate of Rs 65,000 crore for railway budget, Arun Jaitley looks at keeping things on track
Last year, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley abolished the 92-year-old tradition and presented the Railway Budget as part of the Union Budget.
At an estimate of Rs 65,000 crore, Jaitley is likely to make key announcement to keep things on track.
What’s important is as to how the Union Budget helps Indian Railways in reinventing itself as the fastest and cheapest mode of transportation. Because, Railways has been gradually losing share of freight movement traditionally to road transport because of non-competitive tariff structure.
As Arun Jaitley presents the Union Budget in half-an-hour (Check DNA's LIVE updates here), here are key aspects, that must be kept in mind:
1. Safety of passengers
Last year, the safety remained one of the prime concerns for the Indian railways, with many unfortunate train accidents, it is expected that the FM Jaitley could announce big infrastructure push to amend the security features.
2. Cleaner, faster trains
In today's times, many surveys have shown that the commuters do not mind paying a little extra in exchange of more facilities that includes comfort, speed and cleanliness.
3. Tickets may cost less
Experts believe that setting an eye on 2019 polls, Modi government may announce freebies for railways passengers. In bid to push digital transactions, service charge on booking of e-tickets had already been removed.
4. Announcements related to premium trains
Since it was reported that the railways may soon replace the premium trains Shatabdi and Rajdhani by world-class trains.
Media reports suggest, that a world-class train, known by the name of Train 18 will replace Shatabdi by June this year and another one by the name Train 20 will take place of Rajdhani in the year 2020.
The special trains will be designed by Railways' Integral Coach Factory.
We can expect the introduction of more high-speed trains on the Indian tracks.
5. Taking note of Economic Survey
The Economic Survey released on January 29 commended the government for 'transformative' steps taken in the Railway sector. It said giving priority to high-speed rail, last-mile linkages and dedicated freight corridors were steps in the right direction. It is expected that these would get a further boost in the Union Budget.
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