Railway Budget (2008 - 2009 ) Highlights

Following are the highlights of Railway Budget 2008-09 presented by the Railways Minister, Mr Lalu Prasad, in Parliament on Tuesday.

Freight traffic crosses target of 785 million tonnes; to touch 790 million tonnes.
Railway Plan size increased from Rs 11,000 crore to Rs 30,000 crore in the last four years.
Posts profit of Rs 25,000 cr in 2007-08.
560 railway station platforms to be lengthened to take long trains.
Middle-level and low-level platforms to be upgraded to high-level platforms in several stations to help commuters.
Doubling of lines to be given priority.
Professional agencies being involved on a pilot basis to ensure cleanliness in running trains.

Second-class Sleeper fares cut by 5%.
AC-1 fare cut by 7%.
AC-2 fare cut by 4%.
AC-3 fare cut by 3%.
Freight on petrol, diesel cut by 5%
Work on automatic signalling to start in new sections.
Smartcard-based ticketing system planned.
Electrification of more routes in North India.
Foot overbridge along high level platforms.
Talks on with foreign cos for new wagon designs.
High level platforms in 135 stations.
Housekeeping in Shatabdis to be outsourced.
Lifts and escalators in 50 stations.

Modular toilets to be introduced in trains.
Rajdhanis, Shatabdis to get modernised coaches.
Touch screens, colour TVs across all major stations.
6,000 automatic ticket sale machines in 2 years.
By 2010 all coaches to be in stainless steel.
Rlys to use call centres for reservations.
16,548 old rail tracks to be renewed.
Ticket confirmation via mobiles likely.
Pvt cos can make terminals on Rly land.
All un-manned crossings to be manned.
Metal detectors, baggage scan at key stations.
Display boards to be set up across stations for convenience of passengers.

'Go Mumbai' tickets to be sold at bus depots.
Delhi-JNPT-NavaSheva western freight corridor cleared.
Multi-level parking at 30 major stations.
Free Rajdhani, Shatabdi travel for Ashok Chakra winners.
New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune to be made world-class stations.
50% concessions for AIDS patients.
Free season tickets for girls till graduation.
Rlys to issue wait-listed e-tickets.
50% concession for senior women citizen.
Arrival time to be printed on tickets.

To link trains via IT, communications in 2009.
10 new Garib Raths, 53 new trains to be introduced.
Amravati-Mumbai Express to run twice a week.
Khajuraho-Delhi to run thrice a week.
Chennai-Salem to have daily frequency
Kurla-Howrah to have twice a week frequency.
Considering a rail link for Ennore port.
To have new wagon leasing policy.
BBU-NDLS Rajdhani thrice a week.
Expanding use of automated signalling system.
Special train between Delhi and Pune for Commonwealth Games.