Speech of Shri Mallikarjun Kharge

introducing the Railway Budget 2014-15

12th February, 2014

1. Madam Speaker, I rise to present before this august House the Revised
Estimates for 2013-14 and the Estimated Receipts and Expenditure for 2014-15.
􀂠􀈡􀇑􀂑􀂀 􀂡􀇗􀈱 􀁜􀂔􀂓􀈯 􀂀􀈫􀂛 􀂘􀉅 􀂂􀈡􀍧􀂛􀂖 􀂁􀇕􀂑􀈡 􀂂􀂝􀈡􀂡􀁀
􀍧􀂛􀂁􀂏􀈡 􀂡􀇗􀈱 􀂠􀂅 􀍩􀂀 "􀂈􀇗􀂋 􀂀􀈧 􀁝􀂑􀂏 􀂓􀂡􀈣􀈲 􀂘􀇕􀂈􀈯"􀁀􀁀
2. The Estimates for 2014-15 are for the whole year, but, at present I seek
from the august House a ‘vote-on-account’, sufficient to cover the estimated
expenditure for the first four months of the fiscal. The Hon’ble Members are
aware that requirements for the remaining part of the year would be voted later,
separately.
3. This is my maiden Budget under the inspiring guidance of the Hon’ble
Prime Minister and Chairperson UPA, to whom I am grateful for the responsibility
entrusted to me. I also wish to profusely thank the Finance Minister for his
continued support and encouragement to the Railways, underlined further by his
recent gesture of providing additional budgetary support for meeting pressing
requirements of a few national projects during the current fiscal.
4. Madam Speaker, the name of Indian Railways evokes fond childhood
memories amongst all of us who have grown with this beautiful system. Railways
influence all aspects of our lives and untiringly carry people and materials to every
nook and corner of the country. Its role in national integration by providing low
cost connectivity from Kashmir to Kanyakumari on one hand and Arunachal,
Mizoram and Tripura to Gujarat on the other, is unparalleled.
5. As an organization, Railwaymen take pride in serving the nation, braving
snow, torrential rains, floods and desert storms on the one hand and misdirected
public or terrorist wrath on the other. Madam, I have hardly spent eight months
with Railways but I confess that I have an inner feeling of a lifelong association. It
is my firm view that this pan Indian organization needs careful nurturing to help it
better serve the people and play its role in building the nation.
6. During my short stewardship of the Indian Railways, I have been flooded
with requests for new projects of New Lines, Gauge Conversion, Doubling and
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new Factories, new trains, and suggestions for improving the services of the
system. While Railways continue to deliver services ungrudgingly in spite of
constraints of resources, both physical and financial, it is high time that we take a
serious note of its urgent investment and other needs. Railways are a strong engine
of development and help mainstreaming our citizens in less developed areas of the
country. Therefore, it is critical for the Railways itself to be restored to a more
central place in the national planning.
7. As the UPA II Government completes its five years journey in May this
year, it is time to take stock of Indian Railways’ achievements and also lay the road
map for the organization. I would like to share some of the key recent initiatives,
which have led to build up of confidence of our countrymen and instilled a sense
of pride amongst a committed railway workforce of about 14 lakh persons:
i. National Project of Kashmir witnessed a major landmark last June, when
11.2 km long tunnel linking Banihal with Qazigund in the valley became
operational. The tunnel, which is an engineering marvel, has reduced the
distance from 35 km to 17.5 km., provides an all-season means of
transport for the local population and is proving a boon for the
inhabitants. Also, construction on Udhampur – Katra section, which will
enable lakhs of pilgrims from all over the country to reach foothills to
Vaishno Devi shrine directly, has been completed and trial runs have
started. We expect to run passenger services up to Katra very shortly;
ii. During the XI Plan period, the targets for newlines, doubling and
electrification were exceeded. Railways completed 2,207 km of newlines
against target of 2,000 km, doubling of 2,758 km against 2,500 km and
electrification of 4,556 km against a target of 4,500 km. During the 12th
Five Year Plan period, Indian Railways infrastructure will further expand
to reach the hinterland and frontiers of our nation;
iii. Similarly, rolling stock acquisition also surpassed the targets and 64,875
wagons were acquired against target of 62,000, a total of 1,288 diesel locos
were produced against 1,019, and 1,218 electric locos against a target of
1,205;
iv. Initiatives taken for construction of two dedicated freight corridors on the
eastern and western routes would lead to strategically critical capacity
augmentation, and would involve construction of dedicated freight lines to
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carry predominantly coal and steel on the Eastern Corridor and containers
on the Western Corridor. Dedicated Freight Corridor is an innovation in
rail transport in India and will reduce the transit time to about half of the
present levels. The capacity released by freight trains could then be used
for running more passenger trains at higher speed in a need based manner.
This initiative would also offer significant reduction of Green House Gas
emissions in transport sector of India;
v. Railways successfully met the heavy impact of 6th Pay Commission in full
during the period. Total additional payout including arrears from 1st
January 2006 has been more than Rs one lakh crore till now. Significantly,
unlike other segments of the Government, Railways met the additional
expenditure within its own means, from its own earnings. The huge
requirement did cause some hardships, but the organisation successfully
overcame them and emerged stronger. Significantly, but for the additional
financial burden caused by the Pay Commission, the resource position of
Railways would have been correspondingly that much healthier;
vi. Extension of rail connectivity to the northeastern states has been a focus
area of our government to bring prosperity to these areas and also
strengthen the national integration. I am happy to inform the august
House that as a result of additional financial support provided to Railways
at the instance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, we are now on course to
convert the strategically important 510 Km long Rangiya - Murkongselek
Metre Gauge line into Broad Gauge within this financial year.
vii. The Capital of Arunanchal Pradesh would soon be on rail map in this
financial year, as Harmuti-Naharlagun newline is expected to be
commissioned shortly. The state of Meghalaya is also all set to come on
the Railway map in this financial year, as Dudhnoi – Mehendipathar
newline is getting completed by March 2014;
viii. Expansion of Railway Network: During the year we completed 1,532
km of New Line, Doubling and Gauge Conversion against a revised target
of 1,525 km. Sections commissioned in 2013-14 include:
New Lines
a. Karur – Salem (85 Km)
b. Koderma – Nawadih (34 Km)
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c. Lalitpur – Tikamgarh (51.5 Km)
d. New Morinda to Sanewal (54 Km) thereby complete commissioning
of Chandigarh – Ludhiana
e. Qazigund – Banihal (19 Km)
f. Kadur – Chikmaglur (46 Km)
Gauge Conversion:
a. Hanumangarh – Sriganganagar (64Km)
b. Manamadurai – Virudunagar (67 Km)
c. Darum Madhepura – Murliganj (22 Km)
d. Kolar – Chickballapur (85 Km)
e. Rangiya – Rangapara North – Dekargaon (145 Km)
Doubling:
a. Panskura – Shyamchak (27 km) 3rd Line
b. Muri – Tulin (1.5 km) Doubling 2nd Bridge over River Subernarekha
c. Jirat – Ambika Kalna (20.23 km)
d. Magrahat – Diamond Harbour (15 km)
e. Kursela-Karagola (17 km)
f. Katereah-Kosi cabin (4km)
g. Madur – Mandya (19 km)
h. Birur – Ajjampur (18km)
ix. Three new factories viz. Rail Wheel Plant in district Chhapra, Rail Coach
Factory at Rae Bareli and Diesel Component Factory at Dankuni have
become functional and commenced production;
x. Specially designed coaches for adverse weather conditions have been
inducted for rail travel in Kashmir Valley. Also corrosion resistant and
lighter wagons with capability to carry extra pay-load and higher speed
potential up to 100 kmph have been developed; and
xi. Railways have been promoting sports since 1928. In the year 2012-13, we
recruited about 500 sports persons. I take pride in stating that Railways’
sportspersons have a dominating presence in the national teams in various
disciplines and won titles in 23 disciplines and were runners up in 9
disciplines in various national events. Our sportspersons have also
represented the country in various International Championships and won
a total of 2 Gold, 4 Silver and 3 Bronze Medals.
8. Madam, Indian Railways had formulated Policy Unigauge in the year 1992 to
convert selected Metre/Narrow Gauge routes to Broad Gauge to avoid
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transhipment, improve rolling stock utilisation, achieve higher throughput and to
foster development in various parts of the country. I am happy to report that a
total of 19,214 km of non-Broad Gauge lines have been converted to Broad
Gauge. People in several States including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Tamil Nadu have been the
major beneficiaries.
Safety
9. Madam, this august House has in the past expressed deep concern over
some unfortunate accidents and I painfully acknowledge my anguish and grief at
the loss of lives. However, I must assure the House that safety is never
compromised on the system and several measures have been and are being taken
for its further strengthening. Some of these are :-
i. Manning or elimination of all unmanned level crossings and provision of
ROBs/RUBs in lieu of manned level crossings with heavy traffic density in
a time bound manner is a commitment of Railways. Towards this end, a
total of 5,400 unmanned level crossings were eliminated – 2,310 by
manning and 3,090 by closure / merger / construction of ROBs/RUBs
during the last five years;
ii. Planning for induction of indigenously developed Train Collision
Avoidance System (TCAS) over Indian Railways after successfully
completing field trials;
iii. Provision of improved safety systems with audio visual warning to road
users in advance of approaching trains;
iv. Development of ‘crashworthy’ structural design capable of absorbing high
impact loads in unfortunate case of collision/accidents;
v. Offering employment to over 1 lakh persons against existing vacancies in
Group C categories in the last five years, and to 1.6 lakh persons in
erstwhile Group D categories;
vi. Provision of Vigilance Control Device (VCD) in all electric and diesel
locomotives to monitor and judge the alertness of driver to ensure safety
of the train;
vii. A few unfortunate accidents involving fire in trains have occurred in the
recent past, leading to loss of precious lives. Even though some of these
incidents were caused due to inadvertent acts of negligence on the part of
passengers, Railways have initiated action to ensure that such incidents are
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averted at all costs and loss of lives eliminated. A Comprehensive Fire and
Smoke Detection System is on trial on two rakes of Rajdhani Express
trains. Based on the success of these trials, this will be extended to all
major passenger trains; and
viii. Besides, various measures undertaken to prevent fire incidents on trains
are as under:-
a. Use of fire retardant materials inside coaching vehicles;
b. Multi-tier protection for electric circuits;
c. Provision of portable fire extinguishers in AC coaches, Guardcum-
luggage break vans, pantry cars and locomotives;
d. Introduction of electrical induction based cooking appliances in
replacement of LPG in pantries and
e. Intensive checks on parcel vans and Guard-cum-luggage break
vans against explosives and inflammable materials.
Financial Health
10. Madam, I firmly believe that Indian Railways is primarily a commercial
organization and it must operate in a financially self sustaining manner. Major
segments of its business - freight as well as passenger - should be market driven,
address needs of users, provide value for money and avoid tendencies to exploit its
dominant presence in the transport sector.
11. Inadequacy of financial resources is a key constraint to Railways following
the desired path. Aspirations of the people channelized through their elected
representatives for extending the rail network to their regions are all valid and need
to be respected. In fact, Railways have happily acknowledged and accepted many
of these. Despite limited availability of funding, Railways have been able to
implement and complete many projects of new lines, doubling, gauge conversion,
metropolitan transport, road over/under bridges in addition to construction of
workshops, improvement of user services and electrification.
12. I wish to place on record my appreciation of the initiative of the State
Governments of Karnataka, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and
Haryana for agreeing to share cost of several Rail projects in their respective areas,
and appeal to other State Governments to follow suit. This will go a long way in
catalysing creation of Rail infrastructure for overall national growth.
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13. While efforts of the government to provide precious financial resources for
growth of Indian Railways would undoubtedly continue, the phenomenal
investment needs of rail infrastructure cannot be met entirely through Gross
Budgetary Support, Internal Generation of Railways and Market Borrowing.
Railways have therefore started targeting private investment in rail infrastructure to
bridge the gap.
Public Private Partnership (PPP)
14. Investment in Railways is being stepped up by partnership with the private
sector. PPP projects related to rolling stock manufacturing units, modernisation of
railway stations, multi-functional complexes, logistics parks, private freight
terminal, freight train operations, liberalised wagon investment schemes, and
Dedicated Freight Corridors are in the pipeline and offer excellent opportunities
for private investment in the 12th Plan.
15. Apart from attracting private investments from domestic investors in rail
sector, a proposal is under consideration of the Government to enable Foreign
Direct Investment (FDI) to foster creation of world class rail infrastructure.
16. Rail Land Development Authority was set a challenging target of raising Rs
1,000 crore in the Budget 2013-14. I am happy to report that they are on course
and have already raised Rs 937 crore so far.
Modernisation and Technology Induction
17. Within available resources, Indian Railways have always endeavoured to
usher in new technology for modernisation and enhanced delivery to rail users.
Dedicated Freight Corridors for exclusive running of heavy haul freight trains,
High Speed Trains Project, and Semi-High Speed project are recent initiatives
taken in this direction.
Dedicated Freight Corridor Project
18. Implementation of the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors
project is making good progress with the award of nearly 1,100 km of civil
construction contracts till now. During 2014-15, another 1,000 km of civil
construction contracts are targeted, besides award of Systems contracts.
High Speed Trains Project
19. As agreed between Honourable Prime Ministers of India and Japan in May
2013, a joint Feasibility Study for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed corridor, co􀀃
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financed by Indian Railways and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA),
has started in December 2013, and will be completed in 18 months. For the same
corridor, a Business Development study being undertaken by French Railways
(SNCF) will be completed by April 2014. After the studies, Indian Railways will
decide on further course of action and modalities for implementation of the
project.
Semi-High Speed Project
20. Besides the High Speed project, Indian Railways also intend to explore low
cost options for raising speeds to 160-200 kmph on existing select routes like
Delhi-Agra and Delhi-Chandigarh.
Green Initiatives
21. Madam Speaker, the role of Indian Railways in preserving the environment
has been widely acknowledged. Besides energy efficiency of rail transport,
initiatives to promote use of renewable and clean energy have been part of our
approach. Railway Energy Management Company has become functional and is
working on setting up of windmill plants, solar power plants, with about 40%
subsidy from Ministry of New & Renewable Energy. To begin with, 200 railway
stations, roof top of 26 buildings and 2,000 level crossing gates would be covered.
22. I take great pride in informing the august House that as an eloquent
testimony to our energy conservation efforts, Railways bagged 22 out of 112
awards being given away by the Government in 2013.
23. With a view to improving aesthetic ambience along the track close to the
approach of major stations, creation of ‘Green Curtains’ at Agra and Jaipur stations
is being undertaken on pilot basis. This will involve construction of RCC boundary
wall of appropriate height along the railway boundary up to a suitable distance,
landscaping from the track to the wall and within station circulating area, and
arrangements for appropriate watch and ward to check open defecation and
littering. Once the pilot projects succeed, we intend to invite corporate entities to
participate in this programme at other stations through their Corporate Social
Responsibility initiatives, besides obtaining support of municipalities and local
bodies.
24. Marking a major development towards cleanliness in the coaches and on
railway tracks, a bio-toilet design has been adopted by the railways and the
technology has been introduced in about 2,500 coaches. It is proposed to increase
the coverage progressively.
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Passenger Friendly Initiatives
25. Indian Railways has always strived to improve its customer related services
and the continued drive has resulted in their gradual improvement. The success of
e-booking of tickets has surpassed all expectations and provided a convenient
means to our customers to interface with the Railways from the comfort of their
homes and offices. Train movements can also be tracked online to find the exact
location and running. Besides, 51 Jan-Ahaar outlets for sale of Janta Meals have
been set up; 48 passenger escalators have been commissioned at railway stations
and 61 more are being installed; air-conditioned EMU services will commence in
Mumbai area by July 2014; and Passenger Information Display System in
important trains to indicate the next station and expected arrival time is being
provided.
26. The scheme for upgradation of passengers introduced in the year 2006 is
proposed to be extended to second class sitting, AC Chair car and Executive chair
car passengers. This will facilitate utilisation of vacant accommodation in the
higher classes and optimise demand satisfaction in the lower classes.
Demand Management through Dynamic Pricing
27. There are seasonal and occasion-specific instances when the demand for
travel by certain trains goes up and the level of demand satisfaction becomes low.
Passengers are prepared on such occasions to pay more to undertake their journey.
Keeping this in view, a Premium Air-Conditioned Special was introduced on the
busy Delhi – Mumbai sector with shorter Advance Reservation Period in
December 2013 – January 2014. The fare charged included a dynamically varying
premium over tatkal fare of the Rajdhani services. Such dynamic pricing was widely
appreciated by the users and the media and gave increased earnings of about 48%
as compared to Rajdhani services on the same sector. We are considering
operation of this scheme on larger scale.
Enhancing Market Share
28. Railways propose to lay further emphasis on improving its market share
through a mix of strategies. These would involve inter alia improved use of assets,
including wagon turn round by ensuring improved operation and maintenance
practices to enhance asset availability, intensive monitoring and improvement in
the condition of freight terminals through result oriented investments, and laying
emphasis on completion of various on-going line capacity works on critical
sections.
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29. In addition to the above measures, Indian Railways is also further enhancing
throughput by clearing missing links in ‘CC+8’ (Carrying Capacity+8 tonne)
routes, increasing freight train speed by upgrading the rolling stock as well
increasing the length of trains, besides introducing a tariff and incentives regime
that encourages shift of traffic to rail and minimizes empty running. All these
measures will ensure that the unit cost of operation is brought down further.
Rail Tariff Authority
􀂀􀂗􀈢 􀍬􀂅􀂛􀂘􀂓 􀂠􀈯 􀂝􀈪 􀂈􀈡􀈲􀂀􀉅 ,
􀂀􀂗􀈢 􀍬􀂅􀂛􀂘􀂓 􀂠􀈯 􀂡􀂘 􀂈􀈡􀈲􀂀􀉅 􀁀
􀂛􀂂􀈡 􀂑􀈪 􀁝􀂂 􀍬􀂅􀂛􀂘􀂓 􀂘􀉅,
􀂓 􀂝􀈪 􀂈􀈡􀈲􀂀􀉅 , 􀂓 􀂡􀂘 􀂈􀈡􀈲􀂀􀉅 􀁀
30. Madam, 􀂡􀂘􀂓􀈯 􀍬􀂅􀂛􀂘􀂓 􀂘􀉅 􀁝􀂂 􀂛􀂂􀈡 􀂑􀈣􀁀 In a path breaking decision, an
independent Rail Tariff Authority is being set-up to advise the Government on
fixing of fares and freight. Determination of rates will no longer be an exercise
behind veils where the Railways and the users could only peep covertly at what was
happening on the other side.
31. The Rail Tariff Authority will not only consider the requirements of the
Railways but also engage with all stake-holders to usher in a new pricing regime
through a transparent process. This would lead to an era of rationalisation of fares
and freight structures for improving the fare–freight ratio and gradually bringing
down cross subsidization between different segments. It is expected that this
would go a long way towards improving the financial health of the Railways, lead
to growth to match expectations of the nation and provide stability by minimizing
volatility of revenue streams.
Information Technology
32. Madam, Information Technology has revolutionized our customer interface
over the last few years. We intend to continue the process. Some of the initiatives
that would be taken are - proliferation of cash accepting Automatic Ticket
Vending Machines; Ticketing on mobile phones in the unreserved segment; PNR
status update to passengers through system generated SMS; an update for train
running information; Online booking of retiring rooms at all important stations;
Online booking of meals on trains for selected en-route stations; Introduction of eforwarding
note and electronic transmission of railway receipts for freight
customers, which will enable users to carry out freight business with Railways from
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the comfort of their homes and offices; and Computerisation of claims settlement
process on Indian Railways.
Revenue Freight Traffic
33. A target of loading 1,047 million tonnes during 2013-14 was set for Indian
Railways. I am happy to inform the House that we would surpass the Budget
estimate.
34. In order to increase the share of rail borne traffic, an innovative “Empty
Flow Discount Scheme” is being formulated and will be implemented shortly. For
further increasing throughput on the existing network, carrying additional traffic
and bolstering freight earnings, universalisation of all routes on Indian Railways as
‘CC+9+1’ (Carrying Capacity+9 tonne+1 tonne) is being planned.
35. Container traffic has witnessed rapid growth in the last few years. For
facilitating seamless transport of imported cargo, some of the restrictions on
movement of imported commodities through containers have been eased.
Further, to increase throughput of container traffic, the permissible carrying
capacity of 20 feet containers has been enhanced by 4 tonnes by necessary upgrade
of rolling stock.
36. There is a vast potential to be tapped in the area of parcel traffic. An
aggressive strategy has been evolved for attracting more such traffic to rail. Parcel
trains will be run from nominated parcel terminals which have been already
notified for achieving the above, and Special Parcel Trains will be run on scheduled
timings, so that time-sensitive cargo can be attracted. A new policy on parcels will
be formulated which shall also encourage transportation of milk across the
country. A new concept of hub and spoke for parcel business will be introduced.
Third party warehousing in Special Parcel Terminals is also envisaged.
Financial Performance, 2012-13
37. Madam Speaker, I would now like to present in brief the final results for the
previous fiscal, 2012-13. I am happy to report that the freight loading by the
Railways at 1,008 million tonnes surpassed the revised target of 1,007 million
tonnes. Railways paid full dividend of Rs 5,389 crore to the General Exchequer.
The Operating Ratio finally achieved was 90.2%, an improvement over 94.9% in
2011-12. The Fund balances, which were at negative Rs 385 crore at the beginning
of the year, finally closed at a positive Rs 2,391 crore even after full repayment,
including interest, of the loan of Rs 3,000 crore taken in the previous year.
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Financial Performance, 2013-14
38. Given the promising trend of loading, the target has been scaled up to about
1052 million tonnes from the budget target of 1047 million tonnes. However, the
average lead of freight traffic is falling, and is likely to be 622 km against budgeted
644.5 km. Yet, we are confident of surpassing the freight earnings target which has
been increased to Rs 94,000 crore from Rs. 93,554 crore in Budget Estimates.
Considering the trend of passenger earnings, the revised target has been kept at Rs
37,500 crore.
39. There has been continuing strong inflationary pressure on the input costs,
especially the cost of fuel, both HSD Oil and electrical energy. There has also been
a higher than expected burden on account of significant fresh recruitment in many
safety categories, additional dearness allowance for Railway employees and
dearness relief for Railway pensioners. Yet, as a result of stringent and close
monitoring, the increase under Ordinary Working Expenses has been kept at a
modest Rs 560 crore only. However, pension allocation requirements have gone up
by a more significant Rs 2,000 crore. Dividend payment to General Revenues has
also gone up by Rs 1,591crore with the increase in the rate from 4% to 5%.
40. Considering the trend of earnings and expenditure, the revised plan outlay
stands at Rs 59,359 crore. Operating Ratio of Railways is likely to be 90.8% as
against budgeted target of 87.8%.
41. I would like to assure the House that continuing the happy trend of 2012-
13, and in a marked improvement from the two earlier years, Railways will end the
current year with surplus, and fund balances would increase from Rs 2,391 crore at
the beginning of current fiscal to Rs 8,018 crore at the end of March, 2014. This is
primarily attributable to strict fiscal discipline enforced by the organisation.
Budget Estimates, 2014-15
42. Madam, I shall now deal with the Budget Estimates for 2014-15.
43. Anticipating a healthier growth of economy, the freight traffic target is
proposed at 1,101 million tonnes, an increment of 49.7 million tonnes over the
current years’ revised target of about 1052 million tonnes.
44. The Budget Estimates for goods, passenger, other coaching and sundry
other earnings have been kept at Rs. 1,05,770 crore, Rs. 45,255 crore, Rs 4,200
crore and Rs. 5,500 crore respectively in 2014-15. The Gross Traffic Receipts have
been projected at Rs. 1,60,775 crore.
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45. Madam, Ordinary Working Expenses have been proposed at Rs. 1,10,649
crore, which is Rs. 13,589 crore higher than the Revised Estimates for the current
year. This will take care of additional requirements on account of fresh
recruitment, increase in dearness allowance rates, increase in fuel bill, higher lease
charges payable to IRFC and general inflationary increases. Pension outgo has
been budgeted at Rs. 27,000 crore, as against Revised Estimates, 2013-14 of Rs.
24,000 crore. Total Working Expenses are budgeted at Rs. 1,44,199 crore as
against Rs. 1,27,260 crore in Revised Estimates, 2013-14. This will leave a Net
Revenue before dividend of Rs. 19,655 crore, and operating ratio of 89.8%.
Dividend payable to General Revenues is estimated at Rs. 9,117 crore. It is
estimated that at the end of 2014-15 the balance under the Railway Funds will be
Rs 12,728 crore as against Rs 8018 crore in Revised Estimates, 2013-14.
Annual Plan 2014-15
46. The Annual Plan 2014-15 envisages investment of Rs. 64,305 crore as
against Budget Estimates 2013-14 of Rs. 63,363 crore and Revised Estimates,
2013-14 of Rs. 59,359 crore. The Budgetary Support from General Revenues has
been proposed at Rs. 30,223 crore including Rs. 1,223 crore as Railways’ share
from Diesel Cess, and Rs. 6,000 crore earmarked for National Projects. Internal
Generation component in the Plan has been kept at Rs. 13,500 crore, besides a
drawdown of Rs. 777 crore from the available balance in the Railway Safety Fund.
Extra Budgetary Resources including market borrowings through IRFC, ‘PPP’ and
other schemes has been pegged at Rs. 19,805 crore.
47. Madam, I would like to thank all the Parliamentary Committees including
the Railway Convention Committee for their full support.
New Services
48. Madam, I have received several demands for new trains. The existing
congestion on many of our routes does not permit the railways to increase the
number of trains. Besides, running of more passenger trains also affects the freight
carrying capacity of railways. Yet I am conscious of the responsibility devolving on
the railways towards addressing requirements of the people for additional trains in
a need and merit based manner. Despite severe constraints, I am happy to inform
the august House that we have decided to introduce a few new trains during 2014-
15.
49. Premium Trains:
i. Howrah – Pune AC Express (Bi-weekly) via Nagpur, Manmad
ii. Kamakhya – New Delhi AC Express (Weekly) via Chhapra, Varanasi
iii. Kamakhya – Chennai AC Express (Weekly) via Malda, Howrah
iv. Mumbai – Howrah AC Express (Bi-weekly) via Nagpur, Raipur
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v. Mumbai – Patna AC Express (Bi-weekly) via Khandwa, Itarsi, Manikpur
vi. Nizamuddin – Madgaon AC Express (Bi-weekly) via Kota, Vasai Road
vii. Sealdah –Jodhpur AC Express (Bi-weekly) via Mughalsarai
viii. Yesvantpur - Jaipur AC Express (Weekly) via Gulbarga, Pune, Vasai
Road
ix. Ahmedabad – Delhi Sarai Rohilla Express (Tri-weekly) via Palanpur,
Ajmer, Rewari
x. Bandra – Amritsar Express (Weekly) Via Kota, New Delhi, Ambala
xi. Bandra (T) – Katra Express (Weekly) via Kota, New Delhi, Ambala
xii. Gorakhpur – New Delhi Express (Bi-weekly) via Lucknow, Moradabad
xiii. Katra – Howrah Express (Weekly) Express via Mughalsarai, Varanasi,
Saharanpur
xiv. Mumbai – Gorakhpur Express ( Bi-weekly) via Khandwa, Jhansi,
Kanpur
xv. Patna– Bangalore Express (Weekly) via Mughalsarai, Chheoki, Manikpur,
Nagpur
xvi. Yesvantpur – Katra Express (Weekly) via Gulbarga, Kacheguda, Nagpur,
New Delhi
xvii. Thiruvananthpuram – Bangalore (Yesvantpur) Express (Bi- weekly) via
Erode, Tirupattur
50. Express Trains :
i. Ahmedabad – Katra Express (Weekly) via Palanpur, Jaipur, Rewari,
Hisar, Bathinda, Amritsar
ii. Ahmedabad – Lucknow Jn Express (Weekly) via Palanpur, Jaipur,
Bandikui, Mathura, Kasganj
iii. Ahmedabad – Allahabad Express (Weekly) via Jalgaon, Khandwa, Itarsi,
Satna, Manikpur
iv. Amritsar – Gorakhpur Express (Weekly) via Saharanpur, Moradabad,
Sitapur Cantt.
v. Aurangabad – Renigunta Express (Weekly) via Parbhani, Bidar,
Vikarabad
vi. Bangalore – Chennai Express (Daily) via Bangarpet, Jolarpettai
vii. Bandra (T) – Lucknow Jn Express (Weekly) via Kota, Mathura, Kasganj
viii. Bareilly – Bhopal Express (Weekly) via Chandausi, Aligarh, Tundla, Agra
ix. Bhavnagar – Bandra Express (Weekly) via Ahmedabad
x. Bhavnagar- Delhi Sarai Rohilla Link Express (Weekly)
xi. Gandhidham – Puri Express (Weekly)
xii. Gorakhpur – Pune Express (Weekly) via Lucknow, Kanpur, Bina,
Manmad
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xiii. Guntur-Kacheguda Double Decker Express (Bi-weekly);
xiv. Howrah – Yeswantpur AC Express (Weekly)via Bhubaneswar, Gudur,
Katpadi
xv. Hubli – Mumbai Express (weekly) via Bijapur, Sholapur
xvi. Hyderabad – Gulbarga Intercity (Daily)
xvii. Jaipur – Chandigarh Intercity (Daily) via Jhajjar;
xviii. Kacheguda – Tirupati Double Decker Express (Bi Weekly);
xix. Kota – Jammu Tawi Express (Weekly) via New Delhi, Ambala
xx. Kanpur – Bandra (T) Express (Weekly) via Kasganj, Mathura, Kota
xxi. Lucknow – Kathgodam Express (Tri-weekly)
xxii. Manduadih – Jabalpur Express (Weekly) via Allahabad, Manikpur, Satna
xxiii. Malda Town – Anand Vihar Express (Weekly) via Amethi & Rae Bareli;
xxiv. Mannargudi – Jodhpur Express (Weekly) via, Jaipur
xxv. Mumbai – Chennai Express (Weekly) via Pune, Gulbarga, Wadi
xxvi. Mumbai – Gorakhpur Express (Weekly) via Gonda, Balrampur, Barhani
(after gauge conversion);
xxvii. Mumbai – Karmali AC Express (Weekly) via Roha
xxviii. Nanded – Aurangabad Express (Weekly) via Purna, Parbhani
xxix. Nagpur – Rewa Express (Weekly) via Satna
xxx. Nagercoil – Kacheguda Express (Weekly) via Karur, Namakkal, Salem
xxxi. Pune – Lucknow Express (Weekly) via Khandwa, Bhopal, Bina, Jhansi,
Kanpur
xxxii. Ramnagar – Chandigarh Express (Weekly) via Moradabad, Saharanpur
xxxiii. Ranchi – New Jalpaiguri Express (Weekly) via Jhajha, Katihar
xxxiv. Secunderabad – Visakhapatnam AC Express (Weekly) via Kazipeth,
Vijaywada
xxxv. Santragachi – Anandvihar Express (Weekly)
xxxvi. Srigangnagar – Jammu Tawi Express (Weekly) via Abohar, Bathinda,
Dhuri
xxxvii. Thiruvananathapuram-Nizamuddin Express (Bi-weekly) one day via
Kottayam and one day via Allepey
xxxviii. Varanasi – Mysore Express (Bi-weekly) via Wadi, Daund
Passenger trains :
i. Bina – Katni Passenger (Daily)
ii. Dekargaon – Naharlagun Passenger (Daily) after completion of new line
iii. Gunupur - Visakhapatnam Passenger (Daily)
iv. Hubli - Belgaum Fast Passenger (Daily)
v. Jaipur – Phulera Passenger (Daily)
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vi. Mannargudi – Mayiladuthurai Passenger (Daily)
vii. Punalur – Kanniyakumari Passenger (Daily) via Kollam,
Thiruvananthapuram
viii. Sambalpur – Bhawanipatna Passenger (Daily)
ix. Tatanagar – Chakulia Passenger (Daily)
x. Tiruchendur – Tirunelveli Passenger (Daily)
51. MEMU Trains :
i. Anand – Dakor (Daily 2 services)
ii. Anuppur-Ambikapur (6 days a week)
iii. Delhi – Rohtak Passenger (Daily 2 services)
iv. Santragachi – Jhargram (5 days a week)
52. DEMU Trains :
i. Morbi – Maliya Miyana
ii. Ratlam – Fatehabad Chandrawati Ganj (Daily) after gauge conversion
iii. Rewari – Rohtak (Daily)
53. Extension of Trains
i. 14705/14706 Delhi Sarai Rohilla – Sujangarh Express to Jodhpur
ii. 15281/15282 Patna – Saharsa Express to Murliganj
iii. 15013 / 15014 Kathgodam – Bhagat Ki Kothi Ranikhet Express to
Jaisalmer
54. Increase in Frequency:
i. 16571/16572 Bidar – Yesvantpur Express 3 days to daily
ii. 17225/17226 Hubli – Vijayawada Express from 3 days to daily
iii. 17319/17320 Hubli – Secunderabad Express from 3 days to daily
Surveys
55. A large number of requests have been received from honourable Members,
State Governments and other dignitaries for undertaking railway projects in their
areas. The planning process of the railways requires a proper survey to ascertain
the need for and viability of the project before it can be sanctioned.
56. On the basis of requests received from the hon’ble members, state
governments and others, following surveys are proposed to be taken up in 2014-
15:-
New Lines
i. Tiptur – Dudda
ii. Nimach – Singoli - Kota
iii. Dahod – Modasa
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iv. Karad – Kadegaon – Lenare – Kharsundi – Attapadi – Diganchi –
Mahud - Pandharpur
v. Etah – Aligarh
vi. Karnal – Yamuna Nagar via Asandih
vii. Extension of Tindivanam – Nagari new line up to Puducherry
viii. Challekere – Hiriyur – Huliyur – Chikkanayakanahalli – KB Cross –
Turuvekere - Channarayanpatna
ix. Betul – Chandur Bazar - Amravati
x. Chakia – Kesariya (Kaithwalia)
xi. Miraj – Kavathemahankal – Jath - Bijapur
xii. Pune – Baramati via Saswad, Jejuri, Moregaon
xiii. Etawah – Auraiya – Bhognipur – Ghatampur – Jahanabad – Bakewar
– Bindki Road
xiv. Haldaur – Dhampur
xv. Belgaum – Hubli via Kitturu
xvi. Pune – Ahmednagar via Kegdaon Kasti
xvii. Bellary – Lingasugur via Siruguppa, Sindhanur
xviii. Ghatanandur – Shrigonda Road / Daund via Kaij, Manjarsumbha,
Patoda and Jamkhed
xix. Birari – Mahatoni – Marwara – Mandanpur – Dhamoni - Sagar
Doubling
57. Following surveys for doubling are proposed to be taken up in 2014-15:-
i. Latur Road – Kurduwadi
ii. Pune – Kolhapur
iii. Allahabad – Pratapgarh
iv. Salem – Omalur
v. Prabhani – Parli
58. The task on hand is difficult and challenges are big. Yet we are determined
to march on and take this magnificent organisation to even greater heights. This
would require continued efforts of all members of Rail Pariwar and cooperation of
all segments of society and the Government.
59. Madam, as I come to the end of my speech, valuable words of Pt. Jawahar
Lal Nahru come to my mind.
“A great national and state-owned organisation, like the Railways, is not only an
asset of importance but is also a great responsibility. It can only be run with the
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fullest cooperation of all those engaged in it, keeping in view always the good of
the public as well as the good of those engaged in serving the public through this
vast organisation.”
60. With these words, Madam, I commend the Interim Railway Budget for
2014-15 to the august House.
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