Railways Vote on Account 2014: Highlights

NEW DELHI: New lines, passenger friendly measures, premium & express trains, progress on high speed trains, dedicated freight corridor & status quo on passengers are some of the salient points of Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge's Interim railway budget 2014.

Following are the highlights of the Interim Rail Budget:

* No increase in passenger fares and freight charges

* 17 new premium trains, 38 express trains and 10 passenger trains to be launched

* Premium AC trains with dynamic fares on Delhi-Mumbai route with shorter advance reservation period

* Passenger rail service to Katra and Vaishnodevi to start shortly * Railways to expand services to Meghalaya

* More high-speed trains to be launched

* Railways exploring low cost option of 160-200 kmph speed trains on select routes

* Rail Tariff Authority to advise on fares and freight * Mumbai to get AC EMUs in July

* Trains to display info on next stations, arrival times * More Jan Ahaar outlets, escalators at stations

* Upgradation scheme extended to AC Chair Car and Executive Chair car passengers

* Annual Rail Plan envisaged at Rs 64,305 crore with a budgetary support of Rs 30,223 crore

* FDI being enabled for creation of rail infrastructure

* Railways to end current year with surplus

* Surveys for 19 new lines and 5 doubling of tracks

* Railways to encourage transportation of milk

* Steps to reduce running of empty freight carriages

* Bio-toilet facility to be provided in more trains.