Railway Budget 2013-14: Anubhuti coaches, new online reservation system, railway neer in Ahmedabad announced

Ahmedabad, 26 February 2013

Railway Minister Pavan Bansal is giving Railway Budget 2013-14 speech at present in Lok Sabha. Following are some important announcements so far, including one announcement in connection with Ahmedabad.

-One state-of-the-art coach in select trains with latest modern facilities, services for high-class journey. The coach will be named as Anubhuti.

-Plan to make available online reservation from 12.30 am to 11.30 pm daily through a next generation e-ticket system which would be a paradigm shift in internet railway ticketing. It will be able to book 7200 tickets per minute. The capacity at present is 2000 ticket. The new system will support 1,20,000 simultaneous users instead of present capacity of 40,000 users.

-New Railway Neer units at six places including Ahmedabad in Gujarat.

General Highlights of Rail Budget

Measures for Improving Safety & Security

Elimination of 10797 level crossings during the 12th Plan and no addition of new LCs to the IR system henceforth.
Introduction of Train Protection Warning System on Automatic Signalling Systems.
Rigorous trials of the indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System.
Using 60 kg rails, 260 meter long welded rail panels and improved flash butt welding technology.
Introduction of 160/200 kmph Self Propelled Accident Relief Trains.
Induction of crash worthy LHB coaches with anti-climb feature.
Provision of portable fire extinguishers in Guard-cum-Brake Vans, AC Coaches and Pantry Cars in all trains.
Four companies of women RPF personnel set up and another 8 to be set up to strengthen the security of rail passengers, especially women passengers.
Recruitment to RPF with 10% vacancies reserved for women.

Green Initiatives

Setting up of 75 MW capacity windmill plants and energizing 1000 level

crossings with solar power.

Deployment of new generation energy efficient electric locomotives and EMUs.
More usage of agro-based and recycled paper and ban use of plastic in

catering.

Passenger Amenities

Identification of 104 important stations for immediate attention to all aspects related to cleanliness.
Progressive extension of bio-toilets on trains.
Extension of On Board Housekeeping Scheme and Clean Train Stations to more stations and trains.
Extension of Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS), Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs), Coin-operated Ticket Vending Machines (CO-TVMs) and schme of Jan-Sadharan Ticket Booking Sevaks (JTBSs).
Pilot project on select trains to facilitate passengers to contact on board staff through SMS/phone call/e-mail for coach cleanliness and real time feedback.
Provision of announcement facility and electronic display boards in trains.
Providing free Wi-Fi facilities on several trains.
Upgrading another 60 stations as Adarsh Stations in addition to 980already selected.
Introduction of an ‘Anubhuti’ coach in select trains to provide excellent ambience and latest facilities and services.
179 escalators and 400 lifts at A-1 and other major stations to be installed facilitating elderly and differently abled.
Some JTBS to be reserved for disabled people.
Centralized Catering Services Monitoring Cell set up with a toll free number (1800 111 321)

IT Initiatives

Internet ticketing from 0030 hours to 2330 hours.
e-ticketing through mobile phones.
Project of SMS alerts to passengers providing updates on reservation status.
Next-Gen e-ticketing system to be rolled out capable of handling 7200 tickets per minute against 2000 now & 1.20 lakh users simultaneously against 40,000 now.

Tariff Proposals

Proposal for setting up of Railway Tariff Regulatory Authority formulated and at inter-ministerial consultation stage.
Fuel Adjustment Component (FAC) linked revision for freight tariff to be implemented from 1st April 2013.
Supplementary charges for super fast trains, reservation fee, clerkage charge, cancellation charge and tatkal charge marginally increased.
Enhanced reservation fee abolished.