Rail Budget 2015: No increase in Railway Passenger Fares

Much awaited Rail Budget 2015 was presented today by the Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu. The good news is for the passengers as there is no increase in the train fair. Although no new trains were announced, Govt. will increase the facilities in the train.

The Rail Budget 2015 speech of Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu was about 70 minutes and in his speech, he referenced the schemes like Swachch Bharat, Digital India and Make in India.

PM Narendra Modi tweeted, "#RailBudget2015 is a forward looking, futuristic & passenger centric budget, combining a clear vision & a definite plan to achieve it,".

Highlights of the Rail Budget 2015:

• No hike in Railway Passenger Fares
• Plan Outlay proposed Rs. 1,00,011 crore, increased by 52%
• Allocation for passenger amenities up by 67%
• Railways to become prime mover of Indian Economy, Five years action plan proposed
• Rail Budget seeks resource mobilization for higher investment
• Thrust on measurable and sustainable improvement in passenger experience and to make Rail a safer means of travel
• Hot buttons, coin vending machines for railway tickets within 5 minutes, e-catering to select meals from an array of choices
• 200 more stations to come under Adarsh Station scheme; Wi - Fi to be provided at B category stations
• 24X7 helplines for attending passenger problems and security related complaints
• For the safety of women passengers surveillance cameras in suburban coaches
• More General class coaches will be added in identified trains.
• The speed of nine railway corridors will be increased to 160 and 200 kmph
• Train Protection Warning System and Train Collision Avoidance System to be installed on select routes
• 77 new projects covering 9,400 km of doubling/tripling/quadrupling works proposed
• A new department for keeping stations and trains clean under Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

Source: PIB