Railway Budget 2011: What has it brought for the common man
Inflation-hit India was spared an across-the-board increase in passenger fares by the railways. 56 new trains to be launched in FY-12.
By Agencies |
NEW DELHI: The inflation-hit India was spared an across-the-board increase in passenger fares by the railways, despite mounting pressure on the department to revise fares to shore up its sagging finances.
This was on expected lines keeping in mind the crucial state assembly elections in the coming months.
The finance ministry and the Planning Commission had called upon the railways to revise the passenger fare structure, which has remained more-or-less unchanged since 2003-04.
The railways had, in fact, effected some fare cuts during this period despite an increase in operating costs due to higher wage bill and several increases in diesel price.
The current year has been a difficult one for the railways. It had to bear the burden of over 97.2% hike in wages, two diesel price hikes and loss of traffic due to a ban on iron-ore exports from Orissa and Karnataka.
Here are some benefits the common man gets from the Railway Bidget 2011:
This was on expected lines keeping in mind the crucial state assembly elections in the coming months.
The finance ministry and the Planning Commission had called upon the railways to revise the passenger fare structure, which has remained more-or-less unchanged since 2003-04.
The railways had, in fact, effected some fare cuts during this period despite an increase in operating costs due to higher wage bill and several increases in diesel price.
The current year has been a difficult one for the railways. It had to bear the burden of over 97.2% hike in wages, two diesel price hikes and loss of traffic due to a ban on iron-ore exports from Orissa and Karnataka.
Here are some benefits the common man gets from the Railway Bidget 2011:
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• Physically challenged will get concession in Rajdhani, Shatabdi Express trains
• Concession to senior male citizens raised to 40 per cent from 30 per cent
• Women to get benefits for senior citizens at age of 58
• Scholarship schemes to be introduced for low income groups
• Trolleys to be introduced at railway stations
• Online booking of tickets to get cheaper
• All-India security helpline to be set up
• Railways will construct 10,000 shelters for people staying next to lines
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