Highlights of Interim Railway Budget 2009-10
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Review of Financial Performance during the year 2008-09
- Freight loading target retained at 850 mt; number of passengers likely to grow by around 7% over previous year. Implementation of recommendations of VI Central Pay Commission (CPC) likely to cost the Railways ` 9,000 cr more on staff costs and ` 4,500 cr more on pensionary charges as compared with previous year.
- Hence, Ordinary Working Expenses (OWE) increased to ` 55,000 cr in the R.E and the appropriation to Pension Fund to ` 10,500 cr.
- Appropriation to DRF retained at ` 7,000 cr.
- Dividend payable to General Revenues kept at ` 4,711 cr.
- Cash surplus before dividend projected at ` 19,320 cr and the Operating Ratio at 88.3% despite implementation of the VI CPC.
- Revised plan outlay kept at ` 36,773 cr.
- The number of consequential accidents came down to 194 in 2007-08.
- Agartala, the capital of the Tripura, connected by railway line. First train service in Kashmir valley commenced between Anantnag and Rajwansher. To be followed by Baramulla and Qazigund.
- Successful trials completed for running electric locomotives with OHE at a height of about 7.5 mts in preparation for running double stack containers on electrified Western Dedicated Freight Corridor
- Work on Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor commenced near Dehri-on-Son on 10th February,2009. Work on Western DFC to commence this month.
- Freight loading targeted at 910 mt : an increment of 60 mt on 2008-09; number of passengers likely to grow by around 7%.
- Gross Traffic Receipts estimated at ` 93,159 cr i.e. ` 10,766 cr more than RE 2008-09.
- Ordinary Working Expenses budgeted at ` 62,900 cr to cover the full year impact of VI CPC and the payment of 60% arrears due in 2009-10.
- Dividend payable to General Revenues kept at ` 5,304 cr at the current applicable rates. Budgeted Operating Ratio 89.9%.
- Plan outlay kept at ` 37,905 cr.
- 43 new train services to be started in 2009-10, extension of 14 trains envisaged and frequency of 14 trains to be increased.
- With a view to facilitate improved train operations, it has been decided to set up two new railway divisions at Bhagalpur and Thawe.
- 25 surveys proposed comprising 14 for new lines, 3 for gauge conversion and 28 for doubling projects.
- Pre-feasibility study for running high speed bullet trains being pursued.
- Construction of Rail Wheel Factory, Chapra on in full swing; Work on diesel and electric locomotive factories at Marhoura and Madhepura targeted for early start.
- Bharat Wagon Limited, Mokama & Muzaffarpur transferred to Ministry of Railways; transfer of wagon units of Burn Standard at Burnpur and Howrah also under consideration on the same lines.
- Reduction in passenger fares of ordinary passenger trains by one rupee for fares costing up to Rupees fifty per passenger for journey above ten kms.
- Second class and sleeper class fares of all Mail/Express and ordinary passenger trains to be reduced by 2 per cent for tickets costing Rupees fifty and more per passenger.
- Fares of AC First Class, AC II tier, AC III tier and AC Chair Car also to be reduced by two per cent.
