Railway Budget 2014: Modernization, Technology Induction, Green initiatives

The Railway Budget 2014 is all set to be presented Parliament on Tuesday, 8 July, with railway minister Sadananda Gowda to propose the upcoming changes and proposals for the lifeline of India. Below are some of the highlights of the Railway Budget for 2014-15.

Modernisation and Technology Induction

High Speed Trains:

• Joint feasibility study by India and Japan for Mumbai – Ahmedabad Corridor to be co-financed by Japan International Cooperation Agency
• Business Development Study by SNCF for Mumbai – Ahmedabad corridor.

Semi- High Speed Projects:

• Exploring low cost option of speeds 160- 200 kmph on select routes

Information Technology

Initiatives taken include – proliferation of cash accepting Automatic Ticket Vending Machines; ticketing on mobile phones in unreserved segments; system update on PNR status; online booking of retiring rooms at important stations; online booking of meals for selected en-route stations; introduction of e-forwarding note and electronic transmission of railway receipts for freight customers

Green Initiatives

• Railway Energy Management Company becomes functional. Windmill and solar power plants to be set up with 40% subsidy from Ministry of New & Renewable Energy.

• 200 Stations, rooftops of 26 buildings and 2,000 level crossing gates to be covered.

• Railways bagged 22 out of 112 awards given by the Government.
• ‘Green Curtains’ along the track close to major stations; Pilot work at Agra and Jaipur
• Coverage of Bio-toilets in 2,500 coaches and would be increased progressively.

New Services

New Trains

· 17 Premium trains

· 38 Express trains

· 10 Passenger trains

· 4 MEMU

· 3 DEMU

Extension and Increase in frequency

· 3 Extension of trains

· 3 increase in frequency

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