Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee just presented the Railway Budget for the next fiscal year, with promises that to encourage private investment along while keeping social commitment. She however made her stand clear against privatization.
•117 new trains of 122 to be flagged off by March 31st.
• Design, development and testing centre for railway wheels at Bangalore
•Focus on improved amenities for passengers
•Stations across cities to be upgraded.
•Subsidised drinking water to be made available as 6 new plants are coming into a partnership with railways.
•Toilets to be modernised at stations
•More ticketing centres to help the public including e-ticketing mobile vans at hospitals, universities.
•Acquisition of cutting edge safety technology
•A new 1000 km route is to be created
•Mamta is keen on a STF (task force) to clear investment proposals within 100 days. This is in keeping with her wanting to encourage private investment while staying away from privatization.
•Her new business for the railways includes investment from private sector, while keeping in mind social change but not open to privatization.
•Within five years, all unmanned level crossings to be manned
•Construction of more underpasses, besides road over bridges
•Working with state governments to protect railway property
•Demands for a Railway Protection Force for increased security for passengers especially women passengers. There will be an inclusion of ex-servicemen in the RPF
•Astroturf to be provided for development of hockey
•Employment opportunities for sports persons
•Railways to be lead partner for Commonwealth Games
•Dedicated freight & passenger corridors to be set up
No comments:
Post a Comment