The 2010 railway budget was announced by Railway Minister, Mamata Banerjee on February 23, 2010. Rail commuters and travelers can breathe a sigh of relief as the fares have not been subjected to any hike. Moreover, the rail freight rates remain unchanged. Increased budget allocation for launching new trains and improving railway amenities are other highlights of the railway budget.

Railway Budget Highlights: Where Does the Common Man Gain?

Passenger and customer satisfaction has been a key focus area of the railway budget. To facilitate convenience, the recent budget allocates funds for SMS updates on reservation status, train timings and even movement of rail freight. Additionally, Indian Railways is expected to setup mobile e-ticketing centers at various hospitals, universities, district headquarters, courts and village panchayats. Other favorable revisions to the railway budget for the common man are: 

• Expansion: Expanding the railway network has been a key goal of the budget, with an allocation of Rs.4,411 crore for the same. Indian Railways is aiming to expand the network by 25,000 kilometers by 2020. Additionally, Rs.1,302 crore has been allocated for improving passenger amenities.
• Modernization: The budget has allocated funds for constructing high-speed dedicated passenger corridors. The corridors are expected to have an average speed of 250 to 350 kmph Six corridors have been identified by the railway ministry already.
• Energy conservation: The Railway Ministry has proposed to construct green toilets in stations across the nation. Installation of diesel locomotives is another energy saving endeavor in the budget, expected to save 8-10% of current fuel consumption. The ministry has proposed to work in association with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency and the Prime Minister’s National Action Plan on Climate Change to attain these objectives. 

Safety: A Key Focus Area of Railway Budget 2010 

Railway Minister, Mamta Banerjee emphasized the importance of passenger safety and security; considering 17,000 trains run everyday carrying about 8 million passengers. The ministry has invested highly in procuring cutting-edge equipments and technology to prevent accidents. Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) and Anti-collision device (ACD) are two such devices. The ministry is also constructing crashworthy coaches with automatic fire detection system.

The Railway Minister emphasized on the need for cooperation by the State Governments to attain its safety goals. The Minister has also addressed the need to strengthen and modernize the Railway Protection Force (RPF). 

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_highlights-of-railway-budget-2010-11_1351901

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