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India unveils new budget to rejuvenate rail network

Xinhua, February 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Indian government Thursday unveiled its railway budget for the financial year 2016-2017, saying that it would "reflect the aspirations of the people" and aims at restructuring and rejuvenating the world's fourth largest rail network.

Presenting the budget in the Parliament, Indian Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said his three focuses were "revenue, norms and structure" and his ministry's plans were designed around "pride of passenger, speed of the train and development of the country."

"Our core objective is to improve customer experience at the individual level and become an engine of employment and economic growth," said the minister, who is a chartered accountant hand-picked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to script a turnaround for the cash-strapped Indian Railways.

Outlining three pillars of strategy - raising new revenues, raising productivity and efficiency and revamping the processes - Prabhu splet out three new trains - Humsafar, Tejas and Uday Express. Tejas will have an operating speed of 130 kmph and world-class on-board facilities.

Talking about passenger facilities and safety, the minister said mobile phone SMS facility would be provided so that commuters can request the cleaning of coaches and closed-circuit TV cameras would be installed at all tatkal (immediate) ticket counters.

"The Railways will re-develop at least 400 stations and will also introduce free Wi-Fi services in 100 new stations this year," said the 62-year-old minister, clearly going with Modi's vision of Digital India. Endit