No Increase in Passenger Fares, No New Trains Announced - NDTV

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu Presenting Rail Budget 2015

Suresh Prabhu announced no new trains in his Railway Budget today. He also said that there will be no increase in passenger fares, disappointing markets.

In a 70-minute speech that carried the distinct imprint of Prime Minister Narendra Modi - Mr Prabhu referenced his pet schemes like Swachch Bharat, Digital India and Make in India - the rail minister emphasised that the "vicious cycle of underinvestment" must end in the bleeding Railways.

The Rail Budget was watched keenly for pointers to what the Union budget - billed as a make-or-break presentation on Saturday - will hold.

"Railways facilities have not improved substantially for the past few decades which is the result of under-investment that affects capacity, leading to poor morale. This fed into a vicious cycle of chronic under-investment for a long time," said the railway minister, pledging to correct that.

He said investment in the overloaded railway network would be increased to 8.5 trillion rupees over the next five years, promising to modernise existing tracks and introduce faster trains. The proportion of rail revenue available for investments would rise to 11.5 percent in the fiscal year starting on April 1, up from 8.2 percent in the current fiscal year, Mr Prabhu said.

"Over the next five years, the Railway has to go through a transformation," the minister said listing cleanliness, safety, modernization of infrastructure and making the railways financially self-sustainable as his four big goals. "We have to make Indian Railways a benchmark organisation in safety, security and infrastructure," he said, inviting private participation

"There will be no hike in railway passenger fares. We will focus on improving passenger amenities," the minister said.

In a slew of passenger focussed facilities the minister also introduced what he called "Operation 5 mins, which allows passengers traveling unreserved to buy a ticket "within five minutes of entering the station."

17000 more toilets would be replaced by bio-Toilets and new toilets would be built at 650 stations, he said, announcing efforts to "transform" railway stations, he said, adding that there would soon be mobile charging facilities in general compartments and wi-fi in category B stations.

He also said that a mobile application to address complaints of people is being developed.

His priority, he said, was also to significantly improve capacity over the next five years.

Mr Prabhu's induction as India's Railway Minister three months ago was touted by analysts as proof of the Modi government's reformist agenda. Known for his performance as Power Minister in 2002, Mr Prabhu, 61, faces huge expectations on a turnaround for the bleeding Railways whose finances are under terrible strain.

Suresh Prabhu announced no new trains in his Railway Budget today. He also said that there will be no increase in passenger fares, disappointing markets.

In a 70-minute speech that carried the distinct imprint of Prime Minister Narendra Modi - Mr Prabhu referenced his pet schemes like Swachch Bharat, Digital India and Make in India - the rail minister emphasised that the "vicious cycle of underinvestment" must end in the bleeding Railways.

The Rail Budget was watched keenly for pointers to what the Union budget - billed as a make-or-break presentation on Saturday - will hold.

"Railways facilities have not improved substantially for the past few decades which is the result of under-investment that affects capacity, leading to poor morale. This fed into a vicious cycle of chronic under-investment for a long time," said the railway minister, pledging to correct that.

He said investment in the overloaded railway network would be increased to 8.5 trillion rupees over the next five years, promising to modernise existing tracks and introduce faster trains. The proportion of rail revenue available for investments would rise to 11.5 percent in the fiscal year starting on April 1, up from 8.2 percent in the current fiscal year, Mr Prabhu said.

"Over the next five years, the Railway has to go through a transformation," the minister said listing cleanliness, safety, modernization of infrastructure and making the railways financially self-sustainable as his four big goals. "We have to make Indian Railways a benchmark organisation in safety, security and infrastructure," he said, inviting private participation

"There will be no hike in railway passenger fares. We will focus on improving passenger amenities," the minister said.

In a slew of passenger focussed facilities the minister also introduced what he called "Operation 5 mins, which allows passengers traveling unreserved to buy a ticket "within five minutes of entering the station."

17000 more toilets would be replaced by bio-Toilets and new toilets would be built at 650 stations, he said, announcing efforts to "transform" railway stations, he said, adding that there would soon be mobile charging facilities in general compartments and wi-fi in category B stations.

He also said that a mobile application to address complaints of people is being developed.

His priority, he said, was also to significantly improve capacity over the next five years.

Mr Prabhu's induction as India's Railway Minister three months ago was touted by analysts as proof of the Modi government's reformist agenda. Known for his performance as Power Minister in 2002, Mr Prabhu, 61, faces huge expectations on a turnaround for the bleeding Railways whose finances are under terrible strain.