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Interim Rail Budget : Modi government to uplift IRCTC

Indian railway fare rises spark protests

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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It is one of the world's oldest and busiest rail networks, carrying 
23 million people on 12,000 trains every day, including students, rural 
labourers and middle-class workers. But a 14% rise in heavily subsidised
 passenger fares has sparked outrage across the country, leading to 
protests as the new government prepares to unveil its annual rail 
budget.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hundreds of people gathered in New Delhi on Monday to 
protest against rising food, fuel and transport costs, including the 
rise in train ticket prices, disrupting the opening session of 
parliament. Freight has also been increased by 6.5%, making commodities 
such as cement, iron ore and coal more expensive.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/india" title="More from the Guardian on India">India</a>'s finance minister, Arun Jaitley, defended the fare rise, citing a $5.5bn (£3bn) loss on passenger fares alone.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"If
 we didn't hike fares, the railways would have shut," Jaitley told 
India's lower house of parliament. "If you're using a service, you 
should pay for it."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">India is the only country to have a separate 
budget for its railways, a provision dating to a 1924 precedent set by 
British colonial rulers. For decades, rail accounted for the majority of
 passenger and freight traffic.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/7/7/1404746596724/Commuters-hang-outside-a--011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/7/7/1404746596724/Commuters-hang-outside-a--011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But today, as India's 
government-owned rail network faces competition from better roads and a 
proliferation of airlines, it still employs 1.3 million people and runs 
rail catering services as well as schools and hospitals for its workers.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Tickets
 are discounted for passengers in 53 categories, including film 
technicians, members of St Johns Ambulance Brigades, research scholars, 
war widows, disabled people and senior citizens.</span></div>
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Indian railway fare rises spark protests

It is one of the world's oldest and busiest rail networks, carrying 23 million people on 12,000 trains every day, including students,...

Rail Budget 2014: Private sector, foreign investors get ticket to ride on Modi's bullet train

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Railway minister Sadananda Gowda used his budget on Tuesday — the first major policy showcasing of the Modi government — to signal its intention of using private sector investments, both domestic and foreign, as the prime engine of growth and modernization.<br /><br />Having got rid of the difficult part by hiking rail fares and freight charges late last month, Gowda could focus his budget speech on the new government's vision for the Railways, and he did just that.<br /><br />The government's vi ..<br /><br />Read more at:<br />http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/38059643.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst</div>

Rail Budget 2014: Private sector, foreign investors get ticket to ride on Modi's bullet train

Railway minister Sadananda Gowda used his budget on Tuesday — the first major policy showcasing of the Modi government — to signal its in...

Railway Budget 2014: No hike in fares, Railways to attract Foreign Direct Investment

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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>New Delhi, Jul 8 :</b> Sparing passengers of any further fare hike, <a href="http://www.india.com/topic/Railway-Budget-for-2014-15.html" target="_blank"><b>Railway Budget for 2014-15</b></a>
 proposes to attract private domestic and FDI in infrastructure projects
 and pursuing private-public partnership to boost the finances of the 
cash-strapped railways. Having hiked fares to the tune of 14.2 per cent 
recently, Railway Minister <a href="http://www.india.com/topic/Sadananda-Gowda.html" target="_blank"><b>Sadananda Gowda</b></a> who presented the new government’s first budget in <a href="http://www.india.com/topic/Lok-Sabha.html" target="_blank"><b>Lok Sabha</b></a> said he plans to leverage railway <a href="http://www.india.com/topic/PSU-resources.html" target="_blank"><b>PSU resources</b></a> by bringing in their investible funds in infrastructure projects.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He announced plans to introduce a bullet train in Mumbai- Ahmedabad 
sector and setting up of a Diamond Quadrilateral network of high speed 
rail connecting major metros and growth centres. A sum of Rs 100 crore 
has been provided for initiating the project. Increasing the speed of 
trains to 160 to 200 kms per hour on nine select sectors was another 
highlight of the budget, which proposes to allow all experimental 
stoppages to lapse after September this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Budget disclosed that traffic growth declined and expenditures 
went up in 2013-14 as compared to the revised estimates of previous 
financial year. Gross traffic receipts stood at Rs 1,39,558 crore, short
 of revised estimates by Rs 942 crore over the previous year. The 
ordinary working expenses and pension outgo were also higher.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The budget estimates for 2014-15 assumes a freight loading 1101 
metric tonnes, 51 metric tonnes more than the previous year, growth in 
passenger traffic at 2 per cent and freight earnings at Rs 1,05,770 
crore. Passenger earnings will be Rs 44,645 crore after a revenue 
sacrifice of Rs 610 crore on account of monthly season ticket fares.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Total receipts for the current year have been pegged at Rs 1,64,374 
crore and expenditure at Rs 1,49,176 crore. Disclosing that he needs 
more than Rs nine lakh crore to completing the <a href="http://www.india.com/topic/Golden-Quadrilateral-Network.html" target="_blank"><b>Golden Quadrilateral Network</b></a> and Rs 60,000 crore for introducing one bullet train alone, <a href="http://www.india.com/topic/Gowda.html" target="_blank"><b>Gowda</b> </a>told
 the House, “Can I depend only on hiking fare and freight rates and 
burden the public to realise these funds? This is unrealistic. I need to
 explore the alternate means of resource mobilisation.” He proposed to 
launch a scheme to bring in investible surplus funds of railway PSUs in 
infrastructure projects which can generate attractive returns.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Proposing private investment in railways through domestic and FDI, 
Gowda said growth depends heavily on availability of funds for 
investment in rail infrastructure. Internal revenue sources and 
government funding are insufficient to meet the requirement, the Railway
 Minister said, adding the ministry is seeking Cabinet approval for 
allowing <a href="http://www.india.com/topic/Fdi.html" target="_blank"><b>FDI</b> </a>in rail sector. FDI, however, will be limited to infrastructure development and not allowed in operations, he said.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He said the concept of PPP has not been successful in raising 
substantial resources for railways. “It is my endeavour to pursue this 
in right earnest. It is our target that bulk of our future projects will
 be financed through PPP mode, including the high-speed rail, which 
requires huge investments.” Apart from mobilising resources, Gowda said 
he needed to strategically manage other aspects of planning and 
administration by adopting a near-holiday approach, setting timelines 
for ongoing projects, strategic partnership and aggressive 
indigenisation of imported projects.<span style="color: #383636; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The annual plan for 2014-15 has been fixed at the highest ever outlay
 of Rs 65,445 crore with gross budgetary support at Rs 30,100 crore, 
Railway Safety Fund Rs 2,200 crore, internal resources Rs 15,350 crore, 
external market borrowing Rs 11,790 crore and EBR-PPP Rs 6,005 
crore. The budget provides higher funds for ongoing projects in North 
East, including 11 national projects. Rs 5,116 crore earmarked for 
projects in North East, which is 54 per cent higher than the previous 
year.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">While Udhampur-Katra rail link in Jammu and Kashmir has been 
dedicated to the nation, the focus will now be on completion of the 
missing link between Banihal and Katra. 18 new line surveys have been 
announced, which include rail connectivity to ‘char dham’ — Kedarnath, 
Badrinath, etc, and Shimoga-Sringeri-Mangalore. Five Jansadharan trains 
are being introduced along with five premium trains, six AC express 
trains and 27 express trains and eight passenger trains.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The premium trains are between Mumbai Central and New Delhi, 
Shalimar-Chennai, Secundarabad-Hazrat Nizamuddin, Jaipur-Madurai and 
Kamakhya-Bangalore. In order to strengthen security in trains and 
stations, the budget proposes to recruit 4000 women RPF 
constables. Already 17000 RPF constables have been recruited and shall 
be available for deployment shortly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Gowda said safety of passengers is of paramount importance and it is 
estimated that over Rs 40,000 crore would be needed to be invested in 
track renewals, elimination of unmanned railway crossings and road 
overbridges and underbridges. A provision of Rs 1,785 crore has been 
earmarked for railway overbridges and underbridges.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Outlining IT initiatives, the minister said the railway reservation 
system is being revamped to move into next generation E-ticketing 
system, which will support 7200 tickets per minutes to allow 1,20,000 
simultaneous users. Railways will move to paperless offices in five 
years, provide wi-fi services in A-1 and A category stations and in 
select trains, real-time tracking of trains and rolling stock, 
mobile-based wakeup call system for passengers and mobile- based 
destination arrival alert. .</span></div>
</div>

Railway Budget 2014: No hike in fares, Railways to attract Foreign Direct Investment

New Delhi, Jul 8 : Sparing passengers of any further fare hike, Railway Budget for 2014-15 proposes to attract private domestic and FDI...

All You Wanted to Know About the Rs 60k Cr Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train

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<b>Mumbai (BKC)</b><br />
India's first high-speed bullet train corridor is
 expected to begin from Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), which is close to 
local train stations on the Central and Western lines, the Metro 
corridor and the Eastern and Western Express Highways. "People using the
 bullet train can switch over to another mode of transport here," said a
 railway official.<br />
<b><br />Thane</b><br />
The next stop for the 
corridor, most of which will be elevated, will be somewhere in the 
Thane-Diva zone, for the benefit of those living in the central suburbs 
and Navi Mumbai. While land surveys are underway in the zone, officials 
said the stop here will be connected to the Thane-Panvel Trans-Harbour 
line and will be close to an as yet unidentified Central line station.<br />
<br />
<b>Virar</b><br />
The train will then travel west and halt somewhere near Virar.<br />
<br />
<b>Palghar</b><br />
A further halt is being contemplated somewhere between Boisar and Palgha<br />
<br />
<b>Vapi</b><br />
Another halt will be at Vapi, an industrial hub and home/workplace to many merchants and businessmen.<br />
<br />
<b>Valsad</b><br />
Valsad is expected to be the train's penultimate stop<br />
<br />
<b>Ahmedabad</b><br />
The corridor will terminate near Sabarmati in Ahmedabad.<br />
<br />
<b>Mumbai to Ahmedabad</b><br />
520km: Approximate distance the train will cover<br />
350kmph: The expected operating speed of the train<br />
3-4 hours: The time it will take to reach Ahmedabad using the bullet train<br />
8 hours: The time it takes from Mumbai to ahmedabad in a train currently<br />
50-100km: The distance between each station on the line<br />
7: Number of stations on this high-speed corridor<br />
Numbers game<br />
<span class="rupee">Rs.</span> 60,000cr: The approximate cost of the project<br />
<span class="rupee">Rs.</span> 100cr: The amount budgeted to initiate the project<br />
Worth its length in gold<br />
<span class="rupee">Rs.</span> 15cr: The cost for laying a kilometre of tracks for the current railway network<br />
<span class="rupee">Rs.</span> 125cr: The cost per kilometre for the high-speed corridor<br />
<b><br />Show me the money</b><br />
The
 project is being funded by Japanese International Cooperation Agency 
(JICA), which is also studying its technical and financial aspects. 
"Studies and surveys for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed corridor are 
underway. We will submit the report to the Indian Railways by June 
2015," said a JICA official.<br />
<b><br />Ticket cost</b><br />
A ticket for the bullet train will cost close to the price of a first-class AC coach in an ordinary train. <br />
<br />
(Also Read - <a href="http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/india-s-first-bullet-train-to-run-in-pm-modi-s-gujarat-554864">India's First Bullet Train To Run In PM Modi's Gujarat</a>)<br />
<br />
<b>Competing with the fastest trains</b><br />
<br />
<b>Shanghai Maglev</b><br />
Shanghai
 Maglev tops the list with its maximum operational speed of 430 kmph and
 average speed of 251 kmph. The Maglev started commercial operations in 
April 2004.<br />
Harmony CRH 380A<br />
With a maximum operational speed of 
380 kmph, it is currently the second fastest operational train in the 
world. The CRH 380A began operations in October 2010 and runs from 
Beijing to Shanghai.<br />
<br />
<b>AGV Italo</b><br />
It is the first train in
 the Italian AGV series and began services in April 2012. It has a 
maximum operational speed of 360 kmph. The train broke the 574 kmph 
record in April 2007. It operates on the 
Napoli-Roma-Firenze-Bologna-Milano corridor.<br />
<br />
<b>Heavy demand</b><br />
15,000: The number of passengers that travel on the Mum-Ahd route every day, at present<br />
25: No of trains on the Mum-Ahd route<br />
<br />
<b>High-tech</b><br />
The
 coaches used in the train will be aerodynamic and sourced from Linke 
Hofmann Busch in Germany. While there is no clarity on the number of 
coaches per rake, the figure currently doing the rounds is 12, which 
will be able to carry 800 passengers.<br />
<br />
<b>Amenities</b><br />
>> The coaches will have wi-fi services for passengers<br />
>>
 Passengers can book their food beforehand, through email or SMS. The 
food will be provided by reputed chains, which will have a tie-up with 
the railways.<br />
>> The seating arrangement will be a chair- car setup to accommodate more people.<br />
<br />
<b>Travellers give a thumbs-up</b><br />
People who have travelled on bullet trains before said it's an experience of a lifetime.<br />
<br />
<b>Gauri Kamath, pharma and healthcare blogger</b><br />
My
 experience in Tokyo's bullet train was fantastic, and it was as good as
 flying. I hope our bullet train compares with the best in the world. 
The goal of public transport should be to get people to prefer it over 
private transport.<br />
<br />
<b>Yogi Shah, CEO, The Backpackers Company</b><br />
It
 is a great thing that bullet trains are going to start in Mumbai. 
Tourism is going to boom. This project will lead to better connectivity 
and more options for travelling. We can even save money by opting for 
the bullet train instead of flights. This is a positive step towards 
modernisation.<br />
<br />
<b>Gagandeep Singh Sapra, businessman</b><br />
I 
have travelled in bullet trains in Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong, 
among other places. India also needs one because of population growth. 
It will be great if Mumbai can overcome land procurement challenges and 
get India's first bullet train.<br />
<br />
<b>Maninder Pal Singh, head, Maxima Commercial and Control</b><br />
I
 had wonderful experiences in China, Taiwan, Europe and Korea. The 
connectivity there is obviously very good, and this is just India's 
first such project. I hope it's a new beginning.<br />
<br />
<b>Voices</b><br />
<br />
<b>Sanjay Pandit (45), Kandivli resident</b><br />
The
 high-speed Mumbai to Ahmedabad corridor will prove to be a boon to 
regular travellers like me, who often have to visit Ahmedabad for 
business purposes. It will save a lot of time.<br />
<br />
<b>Jenis Makadia (35), Borivli resident</b><br />
I
 travel to Ahmedabad thrice a month to meet my family members there. The
 high-speed corridor will help me get there in a very short span of 
time, making travelling very easy. I will then be able to go there four 
to five times a month.<br />
<br />
<b>Harshil Majithia (22), engineering student</b><br />
My
 family is in Ahmedabad and I study in a college here. I cannot go home 
when I have less than a week off, because travelling takes up most of my
 time. When bullet train services are launched, I will be able to meet 
my parents whenever I want.<br />
<br />
<b>Pravin Sarvaiya, Charni Road resident</b><br />
I
 have to travel to Ahmedabad often for business and the high-speed 
corridor will prove to be beneficial, since it will save a lot of time. I
 hope the rates are reasonable enough. It would be even better if 
authorities come up with a season ticket system for regular travellers.</div>

All You Wanted to Know About the Rs 60k Cr Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train

Mumbai (BKC) India's first high-speed bullet train corridor is expected to begin from Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), which is close to...

Rail Budget: Gowda focuses on security, amenities, bullet & high-speed trains

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<b>New Delhi:</b> Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda announced a slew 
of new measures including the much-hyped bullet train in the maiden 
Railway Budget of the Narendra Modi government. Emphasising on 
passengers' safety, amenities and new facilities, Gowda also endorsed 
last month's fare hike on Tuesday saying it was tough, but necessary to 
improve Railways' health.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He justified the hike saying the expenditure on several things 
including amenities, hygiene and safety is such that the fares have to 
be hiked for getting the Railways back on track. Private investment, 
bullet train, Diamond Quadrilateral of high-speed trains, and modern 
facilities were some of the highlights of Gowda's Rail Budget.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Gowda announced a bullet train and high speed trains between 
major stations. While the bullet train has been proposed on the 
Mumbai-Ahmedabad route, he also announced high speed trains on 9 routes 
including Delhi-Agra, Delhi-Chandigarh, Delhi-Kanpur, Kanpur-Nagpur and 
Mysore-Bangalore-Chennai with an increased speed of 200 kmph. He 
announced the formation of a Diamond Quadrilateral network of high speed
 trains between the metros.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just like his predecessors, Gowda also introduced many new 
trains. The already burdened network will run 58 new trains including 5 
Jansadharan, 5 Premium, 6 AC, 27 Express, 8 Passenger, 2 MEMU and 5 DEMU
 trains and 11 train extensions. In addition, he also proposed rail 
connectivity to 'chaar dham' in Uttarakhand, saying rail network to 
Kedarnath and Badrinath has been explored.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Focusing on security he said RPF personnel will be deployed on 
stations and trains. Gowda said these would include 4,000 women RPF 
personnel to ensure the safety of women passengers. He said the women 
RPF personnel will be deployed in women coaches of trains.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He also stressed upon the need for private investment in the 
railways focusing on the Public-Private Partnership model. Gowda also 
proposed Foreign Direct Investment in all other sectors in the Railways 
except for operations.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Gowda also proposed new passenger amenities, which have been a 
challenge for the Railways over the years. Foot-over bridges, 
escalators, sufficient water supplies at stations, toilets at stations 
and battery operated cars for the differently-abled were among the 
amenities proposed by Gowda. He added that cleanliness services can be 
outsources to provide better services.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He also proposed workstations in some trains on payment basis for
 enabling people to work while travelling. He added that a pilot project
 will begin this year.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Talking about hygiene, Gowda proposed ready to eat meals of 
various brands on board trains. He said that if the food does not match 
the quality standards, severe action will be taken including 
cancellation of licence of the brand. He also proposed serving of 
regional food on trains, the pilot project of which will begin between 
New Delhi-Chandigarh and New Delhi-Jammu Tavi.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Gowda also proposed setting up of a Railway University for 
technical and non-technical subjects. He also said that summer 
internships will be provided in the Railways to engineering 
undergraduates.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Bringing no relief in fares after last month's 14 per cent hike, 
Gowda said that the tariff policy lacked rational approach over the 
years. He said that UPA government's railway projects were populist in 
nature and therefore, have left the Railways in the shambles.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Gowda also spoke of expanding the scope of online booking system.
 He also proposed ticket vending machines on stations for train tickets.
 Other services proposed in the Narendra Modi government's maiden Rail 
Budget include wake-up calls for passengers, station alerts and maps.
</div>
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Rail Budget: Gowda focuses on security, amenities, bullet & high-speed trains

New Delhi: Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda announced a slew of new measures including the much-hyped bullet train in the maiden Rai...

Rail budget: 10 reasons why you should book a train ticket - Hindustan Times

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Railway minister Sadananda Gowda on Tuesday announced the Modi <br />
government's first rail budget. A look at the minister's maiden budget <br />
featuring a number of passenger-friendly announcements: <br />
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1) Internet and workstation facilities will be provided on select trains</div>
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2) Cooked, ready-to-eat meals of popular brands to be served and <br />
action will be taken against vendors for poor food quality. Orders can <br />
be placed by phone. Food courts to be introduced at major stations.</div>
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3) Future e-ticketing to support 7,200 tickets per minute and to <br />
allow 120,000 simultaneous users. Currently, the IRCTC's ticketing <br />
website handles around 2,000 tickets per minute. Internet-based platform<br />
and unreserved tickets can be booked.</div>
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4) Several tourist trains will connect pilgrim centres across the <br />
country. Devi Circuit, Jyotirling Circuit, Jain Circuit among others <br />
have been identified by railways for running pilgrim trains.</div>
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5) The rail budget promises cleaner trains. CCTVs will be used at <br />
stations to monitor cleanliness and third party inspections will be <br />
introduced. Separate housekeeping wing at 50 major stations.</div>
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6) Number of mechanised laundries to be increased for quality <br />
bedrolls in AC coaches. Onboard housekeeping to be extended to more <br />
trains and RO drinking water will be introduced on experimental basis.</div>
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7) Women RPF constables will escort coaches reserved for females; mobile phones to be provided for all RPF escort teams.</div>
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8) Mobile-based wakeup call system and arrival alerts to be put in place for passengers.</div>
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9) Summer internships to be initiated for undergraduates of engineering and management studies.</div>
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10) Setting up of a railway university for technical and <br />
non-technical subjects. Tie-up with technical institutions to be <br />
introduced.</div>
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Rail budget: 10 reasons why you should book a train ticket - Hindustan Times

Rail budget: 10 reasons why you should book a train ticket - Hindustan Times Railway minister Sadananda Gowda on Tuesday announced the...