RAILWAY SAMACHAR

Budget Highlights Regarding Mumbai Suburban/Maharashtra

A) SUBURBAN:

1) The Minister announced setting up of a new factory at Kanchrapara-Halisahar Railway complex with annual capacity of 500 EMU/MEMU and Metro coaches per annum in Joint Venture/Public-Private Partnership mode. She said, for this project railway land is available.

2) New scheme "Izzat" for travel with dignity. Under this scheme the people in unorganized sector with monthly income upto Rs.1,500/- can avail concessional monthly season ticket of Rs.25/- for travel upto 100 k.m.

3) announcement of a feasibility study for introduction of energy efficient rail based system for providing connectivity to existing suburban system in the most

efficient economic way in Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai.

4) Integrated Security Scheme at 140 vulnerable and sensitive stations. Women RPF Squads, exclusively for women passengers, will also be introduced.

B) NON-SUBURBAN:

1) The Railway Minister mentioned the difficulties being faced by women, children and aged persons while commuting in DEMU and MEMU trains (pl note EMU is not mentioned) where the travel time is less than four hours as the toilets are not provided in such trains. She said that Railways are now planning to provide toilet facilities where journey is more than two hours.

2) The new low-priced fast train service will be started to connect youth in rural hinterlands to major metros/cities. The train will provide air-condition seated accommodation and will run from point to point for distances ranging from 1000 km to 2500 km. The fare will be Rs. 299 for distances up to 1500 km and Rs. 399 for distances up to 2500 km.

A weekly service will be introduced as a pilot service within three months in the following sections: (a) Mumbai to Delhi, (b) Delhi to Kolkata. If successful, Yuva Trains will be extended to other areas of the country.

3) The Railway Minister announced 12 new point to point, non-stop 'Duronto' trains, 57 new train services, extension of 27 trains and increase in frequency of 13 trains. The Minister also proposed introduction of Air-conditioned double decker coaches for inter-city travel.

For the first time in the history, non-stop train service is being introduced in India. The non-stop train service 'Duronto' will have AC and non-AC sleepers and will run between select cities throughout the country.

Duronto Trains announced for Maharashtra:

a) Howrah-Mumbai (AC) Non stop (Bi-weekly)

b) Mumbai-Ahmedabad (AC) Non stop (Tri-weekly)

c) Delhi-Pune (AC) Non Stop (Bi-weekly)

57 new trains service are proposed in the Railway Budget for 2009-10.

NEW TRAINS ANNOUNCED FOR MAHARASHTRA:

Vishakhapatnam - Secunderabad - Mumbai Superfast (Bi-weekly).

Bangalore - Hubli - Solapur Superfast (Tri-weekly)

Pune - Daund-Solapur Superfast (Daily)

Mumbai-Karwar Superfast (Tri-weekly)

Mumbai-Varanasi Superfast (Daily)

Mumbai-Jodhpur-Bikaner Superfast (Bi-weekly)

Gorakhpur-Mumbai Superfast (Daily)

Veraval-Mumbai Link Service (Daily)

Mumbai-Jodhpur Express (Weekly)

INCREASE IN FREQUENCY:

2111/2112 Amravati-Mumbai Express from 3 days to daily.

2149/2150 Pune-Patna Express from 4 days to daily.

C) MISCELLANEOUS

* Rail connectivity proposal of a new line between Pune-Nasik

* The period of advance booking under the Tatkal Scheme will be reduced from 5 days to 2 days, Tatkal tickets will be made available destination-wise instead of from end to end thereby reducing the financial burden on passengers. Tatkal charges will now be levied as a percentage of the fare subject to a minimum of Rs. 100 instead of minimum of Rs. 150 at present.

* Fifty stations will be developed as world class stations (CST Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur), and 375 stations as 'Adarsh Stations' with improved basic amenties.

* Multi functional complexes with shopping facilities, food stalls, budget hotels are to be constructed at 50 railway stations, which serve as centres of pilgrimage, tourist and industry.

* More facilities for handicapped persons, the Railway will have more ramps, lifts, escalators and special coaches for physically challenged and aged persons.

* Extensive availability of 'Janata Khana', in which national and regional cuisines will be ensured.

* To improve the cleanliness, the on board house keeping scheme (OBHS) will cover 200 additional pairs of trains.

* The long distance trains will have onboard availability of doctors and infotainment services.

* 1000 new passenger reservation locations and expansion of Unreserved Ticketing System terminal from 5000 to 8000, In addition, automated ticket vending machines will be installed at 200 large and medium size stations.

* There is no increase in the passenger fares of any class or category of trains in the Railway Budget 2009-10. The freight tariffs will also register no increase.