Genre: News > India

Jul 3, 2009: Passenger fare and freight charges remain unchanged in the Railway Budget presented by Union Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday.

Besides, Mamata announced issuing monthly pass at Rs 25 for people from poor economic background upto 100 km travel.

The Minister announced setting up of a factory in West Bengal that would produce 500 state-of-the-art coaches per year.

Other highlights of the 15th budget:

1. Fifty seven new trains and 12 non-stop trains to be pressed into service

2. Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai to have ladies special trains like Mumbai

3. Fifty world class stations will be developed on public-private partnership model

4. Over 300 out of 375 stations to have modern facilities

5. Fifty mobile rail ticket vans to be introduced

6. ATMs on 200 mid and small-sized stations

7. Seven nursing colleges to be opened to provide employment to railway spouses

8. Floating of a 1,000 MW power plant
 
9. Special recruitment drive for physically handicapped and those from minority

10. Committee to be formed to commercialize railways' optic fiber network

11. A doctor to be posted on each long distance train

12. Madrassa students to get concession in passes
 
13. Infotainment facilities to be provided on Rajdhani Express

Background

The Rail Budget deals with the improvement of existing train services, planned investment in existing and new infrastructure, and the tariffs for passenger and cargo travel.

Discussions are held on the policies and allocations offered in the budget in both the Houses of the Parliament.

The budget requires a simple majority in Lok Sabha to be passed, while the reactions of Rajya Sabha members are non-binding.

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