Mamata's sops for unorganised sector, women; fares unchanged

New Delhi, July 3 (PTI) Leaving passenger fares and
freight tariffs unchanged, India's Railway Minister Mamata
Banerjee Friday unveiled a slew of sops for unorganised
sector, women and youth and announced launch of 12 non-stop
point-to-point long-distance trains and air-conditioned
double-decker coaches for inter-city travel.

In a thanksgiving budget for 2009-10 after the United
Progressive Alliance's (UPA) return to power, she announced
schemes for developing 50 stations as world class stations,
upgrading 375 as 'model' stations and construction of
multi-functional complexes at 50 stations serving centres of
pilgrimage, tourist interest and industry.

The complexes will have shopping facilities, food stalls
and budget hotels.

Called 'Izzat' (dignity), the scheme for unorganised
sector will entitle people with monthly income of upto Rs 1500
to a monthly season ticket at a paltry Rs 25 for travel upto
100 kms. She also announced sops for students of madrassas and
Kolkata by extending concessional travel to them.

For women, Banerjee proposed to run 'Only Ladies' EMU
trains in Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata on the lines of those in
Mumbai during office hours in suburban services. Women Railway
Protection Force (RPF) personnel would be deployed for
security of women passengers in trains.

'Yuva' trains -- low-cost air-conditioned seated
accommodation trains -- will be run for the benefit of youth
and low-income groups from rural hinterland to metros and
cities at a fare of Rs 299 upto 1500 kms and Rs 399 upto 2500
kms. These will be run on pilot basis as weekly service within
three months between Mumbai and Delhi and Delhi and Kolkata.

The proposals included introduction of 57 new train
services, extension of 27 new trains and increase in frequency
of 13 trains and making 'Tatkal' scheme more user-friendly by
reducing the advance booking period from five days to two days
and minimum charge from Rs 150 to Rs 100.

Banerjee, who had been a Railway Minister in the National
Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, also announced
introduction of 12 'Duranto' (quick) trains that will run
non-stop from point-to-point.

The cities between which these trains will run include
Delhi-Jammu, Howrah-Mumbai, Chennai-Delhi and New
Delhi-Lucknow.

The Budget estimates for 2009-10 projects a freight
loading target of 882 million tonnes, an increase of 49
million tonnes and a six per cent increase in the number of
passengers.

Gross traffic receipts have been estimated at Rs 88,419
crore, which is Rs 8,557 crore more than 2008-09.

Ordinary working expenses have been budgeted at Rs
62,900 crore to cover the full year impact of the Sixth Pay
Commission and payment of arrears due in 2009-10.

Dividend payable to general revenues has been kept at Rs
5,479 crore while the Railways have got an additional
budgetary support of Rs 5,000 crore.

Announcing "landmark" initiatives, Banerjee said that
dedicated freight corridors have been declared as 'Diamond
Rail Corridors' while foundation was being laid for
development of Eastern Industrial Corridor along side the
Eastern Freight Corridor.

Pre-feasibility studies for other trunk routes --
North-South, East-West, East-South and Southern (Chennai-Goa)
Corridors have been conducted and steps will be taken for
further action in this regard.


Railway land banks will be set up to catalyse development
in the corridors.

The budget also proposed opening of 1000 new passenger
reservation locations and expansion of unreserved ticketing
system from 5000 to 8000 locations. Automated ticket-vending
machines will be installed at 200 large and medium-sized
stations.

Taking ticketing to 'ma maati manush' (mother, land and
people), Banerjee said issue of computerised tickets at post
offices and mobile ticketing service vans was being
considered.

The Minister announced setting up of a new coach factory
at Kanchrapara-Halisahar Railway Complex in India's eastern
state of West Bengal with annual capacity of 500 electrical
multiple units (EMUs) and MEMUs and Metro coaches in joint
venture private-partnership mode.

Promising inclusive growth and expansion of rail network
to reach development to every corner, Banerjee said the
"so-called economically unviable but socially desired
projects" will be viewed with social perspective to benefit
backward areas and the underprivileged.

An expert committee to advise her is being set up for
suggesting innovative financing and implementation of such
projects.

She said priority will be given to effect perceptible
improvement in cleanliness, quality of railway catering,
safety and security and punctuality.

Strict monitoring will focus on extensive availability of
'janata khana' (low-cost meals), national and regional
cuisines, development of 50 stations as world class stations
and upgrading of 375 stations as 'adarsh' (model) stations.

Banerjee also announced 'on-board house-keeping scheme'
to cover 200 additional pairs of trains, improved linen
management with modern, mechanised automated laundries and
on-board availability of doctors in long-distance trains.
Ambulance services would be provided in seven cities to start
with. PTI AKK
RAI
NNNN




The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this
message are intended for the exclusive
use of the addressee(s) and may contain proprietary, confidential or privileged
information. If you are not the intended
recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please
notify the sender immediately and destroy
all copies of this message and any attachments contained in it.