HIGHLIGHTS OF THE RAILWAY BUDGET – 2013-14

Accidents per million km down from .41 to .13

Raised four companies of women RPF personnel; another eight to be raised for women’s safety

67 new Express and 26 new passenger trains to run; 8 DEMU services and 5 MEMU services to be introduced; run of 57 trains to be extended; frequency of 24 trains to increase

22 new rail lines to be taken up in 2013-14

New debt service fund to be set up

Will close fiscal 2012-13 with fund balance against previous deficit; need to build fund balance to Rs.30,000 crore by end of 12th Plan

Operating ratio of 88.8 percent achieved

Dividend reduced from 5 to 4 percent

Electrification of 1,200 km to be completed this year

72 additional suburban services in Mumbai and 18 in Kolkata

Rs 6,600 crore increase in earnings from fare adjustment in January

Rs 63,000 crore investment in 2013-14

1,047 million tonnes freight loading estimated during 2013-14

Passenger earnings of Rs 42,000 crore estimated in 2013-14

Indian Railways Institute of Financial Management to be set up at Secunderabad

Chair at Delhi to promote research in reducing carbon footprint

Winners of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Dhyan Chand awards to get free first class passes

Complementary first class passes for parents of unmarried posthumous awardees of Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra

Complementary passes of freedom fighters to be renewed every three years instead of annually

New forged wheel factory at Rae Bareli in collaboration with Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd

Greenfield Mainline Electrical Multiple Units (MEMU) manufacturing facility at Bhilwara along with Rajasthan government and BHEL

Coach making unit at Sonepat in collaboration with Haryana government

Midlife rehabilitation workshop at Kurnool along with Andhra Pradesh government.

Railway energy management company to be set up to harness solar and wind energy

1,000 crossings to be energised by solar power

1.51 lakh vacancies to be filled up.47,000 vacancies for weaker sections and physically challenged to be filled up soon.

Toll free 1800111321 number to address grievance. Introduced from February 2013

Labs to test food provided in trains. ISO certification for all rail kitchens.

Locomotive cabs to be air-conditioned

Azadi Express for travel to places associated with freedom struggle