Budget 2018: Railways focus on Modernisation & Infrastructure
ONI Bureau: The Finance Minister of india Arun Jaitley, in his budget speech for 2018-19 has laid out a road map for Indian Railways, which is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of New India by 2022.
New India Budget also gave emphasis to transform Railways into a modern, safe, green, affordable and comfortable mode of transport.
Key Highlights
- Drastically scaling up investments by almost three times to Rs 1,48,528 cr. in 2018-19 (BE) as against Rs 53,989 cr. in 2013-14.
- Highest priority to safety – total expenditure planned on safety activities is Rs. 73,065 in 2018-19.
- Railways to electrify the entire network
- 600 Stations are to be developed with world class facilities. Escalators to be provided at all stations with passenger footfall above 25,000. Stations and trains will be provided with wi-fi facility for information and entertainment; CCTV cameras across all stations and trains for security
- Improved suburban services to Mumbai with 90 kms line doubling of around Rs. 11,000 cr & 150 kms additional lines worth Rs. 40,000 cr for enhancing transportation in Mumbai with expansion of suburban railway system
- 160 kms suburban network worth Rs. 17,000 cr in Bengaluru to help reduce congestion there and save commuting time of passengers
- Rail University at Vadodara to be set up
- Operating ratio of 2018-19 (BE) is estimated at 92.8% as against 96% in 2017-18 (RE)
- Total Revenue receipts in 2018-19 (BE) are estimated to increase by 7% to Rs. 2,01,090 cr.
- Total Revenue expenditure in 2018-19 BE is estimated to increase by 4% to Rs. 1,88,100 cr.