As it happened: The Railway Budget 2013-14

Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal starts presenting the Railway Budget for 2013-14

As he started his speech Pawan Kumar Bansal quoted Christine Weatherly's poem The Song of the Engine,


When you travel on the railway,
And the line goes up a hill,
Just listen to the engine
As it pulls you with a will.
Though it goes very slowly
It sings this little song.
“I think I can, I think I can,”
And so it goes along.

But later on the Journey,
When you’re going down a hill,
The train requires no pulling,
And the engine’s singing still.
If you listen very quietly
You will hear this little song,
“I thought I could, I thought I could!”
And so it speeds along.

Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, who began the presentation of Railway Budget 2013-14 in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, thanked Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for giving him this opportunity.

"I am grateful to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for giving me this opportunity," he told the Lok Sabha.

Bansal also recalled former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi for introducing him to the biggest temple of democracy.

Bansal, who is presenting his maiden Railway Budget, is likely to announce a number of passenger friendly measures, such as improvement in catering services, development of stations and launching of several new trains.

A majority of the country's population will, however, keep a close eye on whether Bansal yields to pressure of hiking passenger fares yet again or looks at other measures to mobilise resources to offset the burden of the recent diesel price hike.

This is the first Rail Budget being presented by a Congress Minister after 17 years.

"Howsoever high a flight may be, we must remain connected to the ground. There's always demand for more trains," Bansal said.

The Indian Railways is likely to suffer a loss of Rs24,600 crore in fiscal year ending March 31 as compared to Rs22,500 crore in the previous fiscal, Railways Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said Tuesday.

Presenting the railway budget in parliament, Bansal said losses had increased sharply in the past one decade due to rising input cost and near stagnant revenue due to no revision in passenger fare.

The railways posted a loss of Rs4,955 crore in 2002-03.

This was Bansal's maiden rail budget and a first by a Congress minister in 17 years.

Railways must be financially sustainable, added Bansal.

Rail network needs to be expanded said Bansal.

Bansal said many important projects are not being funded on time.

Bansal added that he was overwhelmed by demands for new projects after  he took over.

Asserting that the Ministry of Railways will strive to work towards maintaining a zero accident record, Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal on Tuesday expressed concern over the February 10 stampede at the Allahabad Railway Station.

"Railway passengers deserve safe and comfortable travel. Safety is a mandate in running trains. There has been a significant reduction in accidents - .41 per million kms in 2003-04 to .13 in 2011- 12. We will strive to work towards a zero accident situation," said Bansal, who is announcing the Union Railway Budget for 2013-14 in Parliament.

The Uttar Pradesh Government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the February 10 stampede at the Allahabad railway station, which claimed 37 lives and left several others injured.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had earlier ordered an inquiry by chairman of the UP Board of Revenue Jagan Mathews, which was asked to submit its report in a month.

The stampede occurred at platforms 5 and where thousands of passengers, mostly Maha Kumbh devotees returning after taking the holy dip at the Sangam, had gathered to board a train.

Railway annual share from central road fund only 1100 crore against 5000 crore, says Bansal.

Railway passengers deserve safe travel, said Bansal.

Target is zero accidents, said Bansal.

10% vacancies reserved for women in railways security force, said Pawan Bansal

Want to focus on bio-toilets in trains: Bansal.

Losses to railways on account of passenger traffic likely to mount to Rs24,600 crore in 2012-13 from Rs22,500 crore in 2011-12.

Providing free Wi-Fi on several trains for youth and value customers on cards, says Bansal.

12th Plan railway size to be Rs5.19 lakh crore, with gross budgetary support of Rs1.94 lakh crore.

Anubhati coaches with hi-end luxury in select train.

Rs100 crore for the redevelopment of Delhi, New Delhi and Nizamuddin stations, said Bansal.

Bansal proposes Jan sadharan ticket booking system for disabled people.

Provision for 179 escalators, 400 lifts at stations for senior citizens, says Bansal.

Bansal said he wants to extend facilities of  online booking from 12:30 am to 11:30 pm.

Aadhar number will be used for providing employee and passengers services.

Text alerts on reservation status, mid-night bookings, says Bansal.

Indian Railways will introduce by the end of this year a “next generation” e-ticketing system that will improve the speed of online ticket booking, Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said Tuesday.

The new system will have the capacity to book 7,200 tickets a minute as against the current capacity of 2,000, Bansal said while presenting the railway budget in the Lok Sabha.

Bansal pointed out that congestion at the IRCTC web site caused a lot of problem for passengers.

“The next generation ticketing system will significantly improve the situation,” he added.

Lab tested food in trains, says Bansal.

Rs1 lakh crore to be raised from public-private partnership, Rs1.05 lakh crore through internal resources in the 12th Plan, says Railway Minister PK Bansal.

Elimination of 10,700 unmanned level crossings targeted during the Plan; no more new such crossings to be created.

State of art base kitchen proposed at railway premise, suggests Bansal.

Bansal proposes setting up of executive lounge at Patna, Agra, Bilaspur, Nagpur.

Corporate Safety Plan to be prepared for ten-year period (2014-24).

Azadi Express will run for educational tours.

Railway budget highlights:

Presented by Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal:

Losses mounted from Rs22,500 crore in 2011-12 to Rs24,600 crore in 2012-13.

Planning Commission pegged 12th Plan at Rs125.19 lakh crore.

Fall in accidents - per million accidents down from .41 to .13

Aim to eliminate 31,846 level crossings.
 

Identification of 104 stations for upgradation in places with more than one million population and of religious significance: Bansal.

State of Arunachal Pradesh brought into the rail network for the first time, says PK Bansal.

Target of investment of 1 lakh crore through PPP mode in 12th 5 year plan, says Bansal.

Railways to set up six more Rail Neer bottling plants, says Bansal.

More highlights from the Railway Budget:

Seventeen bridges identified for repair.

Smoke and fire detection system envisaged.

Fire extinguishers to be kept in guard vans.

Corporate plan for 10 years to be drawn up.

Raised four companies of women RPF personnel, and another eight to be raised for women's safety.

Six more Rail Neer bottling plants to be set up.

Losses mounted from Rs22,500 crore in 2011-12 to Rs24,600 crore in 2012-13.

Planning Commission pegged 12th Plan at Rs125.19 lakh crore.

Fall in accidents - per million accidents down from .41 to .13.

Aim to eliminate 31,846 level crossings.

Special A/C coaches 'Anubhuti', to be introduced in select Shatabdi and Rajdhani trains to give excellent ambience with commensurate fare.

SMS alert service being rolled out shortly to intimate passengers about reservation status.

Railways would be happy to partner in such project with state govt, Railway Minister says on construction of foot over bridges.

Internet booking to be strengthened with next-generation e-ticketing system to eliminate delays.

More highlight:

Free Wi-Fi to be provided on some trains.

Rs.100 crore for improving stations in New Delhi.

179 escalators and 400 lifts at A 1 and other select stations.

E-ticketing through mobile phones.

SMS alerts for passengers on reservation status.

Next generation e-ticketing system by end of 2013.

Seventeen bridges identified for repair.

Smoke and fire detection system envisaged.

Fire extinguishers to be kept in guard vans.

Corporate plan for 10 years to be drawn up.

Raised four companies of women RPF personnel, and another eight to be raised for women's safety.

Six more Rail Neer bottling plants to be set up.

Losses mounted from Rs22,500 crore in 2011-12 to Rs24,600 crore in 2012-13.

Planning Commission pegged 12th Plan at Rs125.19 lakh crore.

Fall in accidents - per million accidents down from .41 to .13.

Aim to eliminate 31,846 level crossings.

Common rail-bus ticket to be introduced for Katra- Vaishnodevi pilgrims.

New forged wheel factory at Rae Bareily proposed bu Bansal.

Modern signalling equipment facility at Chandigarh through Public Private Partnership.

Green energy initiatives - ban use of plastic in catering, says Bansal.

New train Azadi Express to link important places to freedom struggle to be introduced, fares to be concessional.

Railways set to enter 1 billion ton freight club of China, Russia and US.

Allocation of Rs1,000 crore each made for railway land development authority and railway station development authority.

New coach manufacturing and maintenance facilities to be set up in various places including Rae Bareli, Bhilwara, Sonepat, Kalahandi, Kolar, Palakkad and Pratapgarh.

Bansal announces encouragement of railway education in universities.

Indian Railways proposes to set up financial management institute in Secundarabad.

Bansal announces special train passes for Indian sports persons.

In addition to that Bansal also announces special rail facilities to Armed Forces and their families.

Mumbai's elevated corridor figures in Railway Budget.

Freedom fighters to renew their railway passes only once in 3 years.

Rail heritage: Mountain railways are world heritage sites. We are truly proud and want to take measures to protect them, says Bansal.

Rs9000 crore investments expected including Rs3,800 crore in port connectivity and Rs800 crore in iron ore mines connectivity.

Railway Energy Management Company to be set up to harness solar and wind energy.

47,000 vacancies for weaker sections and physically challenged to be filled up soon.

Railway did not present any supplementary demand, 347 ongoing projects identified as priority, says Bansal.

Indian Railway Institute for Financial Management to be set up at Secunderabad to train rail officers on a regular basis.

Fund balances of railways to be Rs30,000 crore by end of 12th 5-year plan.

Railways to set up new debt service fund to meet liabilities for debt servicing.

Operating ratio proposed by Bansal at 88.8%.

Rs3,000 crore loan from Finance Ministry re-paid with interest by Railways this financial year.

While the Railway Budget is presented in the Lok Sabha the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2pm after uproar over Ram Setu issue.

Railways' freight loading traffic scaled down by 100 million tonnes from 1025 million tonnes because of economic slowdown.

Increase in passenger fare is not due to making profits but for providing better resources, says PK Bansal.

Railways to set up a Debt Service Fund.

No direct passenger fare hike, says Bansal.

Government to bear Rs850 crore by not hiking passenger fares after fuel price hike.

Railway hopes to end 2013-14 with a balance of Rs12,506 crore.

Air conditioned local trains for Mumbai, 72 new suburban services for the city too, says Bansal.

Operating ratio expected to improve to 87.8% in 2013-14 from 88.8% in the current fiscal.

Railway revenues to show a balance of Rs12,506 crore in 2013-14.

Planned investment of Rs63,363 crore for 2013-14, including Rs600 crore from PPP route.

Diesel price hike added Rs3,300 crore to fuel bill of Railways.

5% average increase in freight.

Dynamic fuel adjustment component to be introduced on freight rates from April 1, that will result in less than five per cent increase in rates.

An independent Rail Tariff Authority has been formalised.

Deregulation of diesel prices and hike in electricity tariff to result in a burden of Rs5,100 crore in 2013-14.

500-km new lines to be completed in 2013-14.

Uproar in the Lok Sabha as PK Bansal presents the Railway Budget.

The Railway Minister said 67 new express trains will be introduced.

27 passenger trains, 9 EMUs to be introduced: Bansal.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram lauds PK Bansal saying, "It is a remarkable and commendable budget."

BJP terms Rail Budget as Rae Bareli Budget; says NDA-ruled states ignored.

Railway Minister PK Bansal holds press conference after presenting the Railway Budget.

"I have tried not to put any pressure on the people," says Bansal.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that the Railway Budget is reformist and forward-looking.

The Budget presents a realistic picture of railway finances, added the PM.