Rail Budget 2010 Highlights
Presenting fourth budget of her career as railway minister, the second for the UPA government in its second straight term, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has said that 117 out of 120 new trains promised in her last budget will be flagged off by March 31, said report.
About safety issue, she said that there were a few cases of unfortunate accidents in the past and that these would be checked by adopting the highest level of technology and manpower training, report said.
“Within five years, we will have 13,000 out of unmanned level crossings manned – 3,000 this fiscal and 1,000 in the coming fiscal,” she was quoted as saying in reference to the high number of accidents at such crossroads.
Rail Budget Highlights:
1. Special drive to increase passenger amenities
2. Upgradation of 94 stations
3. Six new drinking water bottling plants in public-private partnership (PPP) mode
4. Modern toilets at railway stations
5. More ticketing centres to help the public
6. Acquisition of cutting edge safety technology
7. 1,000 km route to be created
8. Special task force for clearing investment proposals in 100 days
9. New business model to be created
10. No privatisation
11. Railways to remain with government
12. But greater participation of private sector assured
13. 117 of 120 new trains for current fiscal to be flagged off
14. Within five years, all unmanned level crossings to be manned
15. Construction of more underpasses, besides road overbridges
16. Greater coordination with state governments to protect railway property
17. Security of women passengers to be improved
18. Ex-servicemen to be employed in Railway Protection Force
19. Five sports academies to be set up
20. Astroturf to be provided for development of hockey
21. Employment opportunities for sports persons
22. Railways to be lead partner for Commonwealth Games
