ಮೈಸೂರು - ವಾರಣಾಸಿ ಎಕ್ಸ್‌ಪ್ರೆಸ್: ಕಾವೇರಿ ಮತ್ತು ಗಂಗಾ ನದಿಗಳ ಸಂಪರ್ಕ ಸೇತುವೆ - Vishwanath Joshi

20. Besides the High Speed project, Indian Railways also intend to explore low cost options for raising speeds to 160-200 kmph on existing select routes like Delhi-Agra and Delhi-Chandigarh. Green Initiatives
21. Madam Speaker, the role of Indian Railways in preserving the environment has been widely acknowledged. Besides energy efficiency of rail transport, initiatives to promote use of renewable and clean energy have been part of our approach. Railway Energy Management Company has become functional and is working on setting up of windmill plants, solar power plants, with about 40% subsidy from Ministry of New & Renewable Energy. To begin with, 200 railway stations, roof top of 26 buildings and 2,000 level crossing gates would be covered. 22. I take great...
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pride in informing the august House that as an eloquent testimony to our energy conservation efforts, Railways bagged
22 out of 112 awards being given away by the Government in 2013.
23. With a view to improving aesthetic ambience along the track close to the approach of major stations, creation of ‘Green Curtains’ at Agra and Jaipur stations is being undertaken on pilot basis. This will involve construction of RCC boundary wall of appropriate height along the railway boundary up to a suitable distance, landscaping from the track to the wall and within station circulating area, and arrangements for appropriate watch and ward to check open defecation and littering. Once the pilot projects succeed, we intend to invite corporate entities to participate in this programme at other stations through their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, besides obtaining support of municipalities and local bodies.
24. Marking a major development towards cleanliness in the coaches and on railway tracks, a bio-toilet design has been adopted by the railways and the technology has been introduced in about 2,500 coaches. It is proposed to increase the coverage progressively. 8
Passenger Friendly Initiatives
25. Indian Railways has always strived to improve its customer related services and the continued drive has resulted in their gradual improvement. The success of e-booking of tickets has surpassed all expectations and provided a convenient means to our customers to interface with the Railways from the comfort of their homes and offices.
Train movements can also be tracked online to find the exact location and running. Besides, 51 Jan-Ahaar outlets for sale of Janta Meals have been set up; 48 passenger escalators have been commissioned at railway stations and 61 more are being installed; air-conditioned EMU services will commence in Mumbai area by July 2014; and Passenger Information Display System in important trains to indicate the next station and expected arrival time is being provided.
26. The scheme for upgradation of passengers introduced in the year 2006 is proposed to be extended to second class sitting, AC Chair car and Executive chair car passengers. This will facilitate utilisation of vacant accommodation in the higher classes and optimise demand satisfaction in the lower classes. Demand Management through Dynamic Pricing
27. There are seasonal and occasion-specific instances when the demand for travel by certain trains goes up and the level of demand satisfaction becomes low. Passengers are prepared on such occasions to pay more to undertake their journey. Keeping this in view, a Premium Air-Conditioned Special was introduced on the busy Delhi – Mumbai sector with shorter Advance Reservation Period in December 2013 – January 2014. The fare charged included a dynamically varying premium over tatkal fare of the Rajdhani services. Such dynamic pricing was widely appreciated by the users and the media and gave increased earnings of about 48% as compared to Rajdhani services on the same sector. We are considering operation of this scheme on larger scale. Enhancing Market Share
28. Railways propose to lay further emphasis on improving its market share through a mix of strategies. These would involve inter alia improved use of assets, including wagon turn round by ensuring improved operation and maintenance practices to enhance asset availability, intensive monitoring and improvement in the condition of freight terminals through result oriented investments, and laying emphasis on completion of various on-going line capacity works on critical sections. 9
29. In addition to the above measures, Indian Railways is also further enhancing throughput by clearing missing links in ‘CC+8’ (Carrying Capacity+8 tonne) routes, increasing freight train speed by upgrading the rolling stock as well increasing the length of trains, besides introducing a tariff and incentives regime that encourages shift of traffic to rail and minimizes empty running. All these measures will ensure that the unit cost of operation is brought down further. Rail Tariff Authority
30. Madam, In a path breaking decision, an independent Rail Tariff Authority is being set-up to advise the Government on fixing of fares and freight. Determination of rates will no longer be an exercise behind veils where the Railways and the users could only peep covertly at what was happening on the other side.
31. The Rail Tariff Authority will not only consider the requirements of the Railways but also engage with all stake-holders to usher in a new pricing regime through a transparent process. This would lead to an era of rationalisation of fares and freight structures for improving the fare–freight ratio and gradually bringing down cross subsidization between different segments. It is expected that this would go a long way towards improving the financial health of the Railways, lead to growth to match expectations of the nation and provide stability by minimizing volatility of revenue streams. Information Technology
32. Madam, Information Technology has revolutionized our customer interface over the last few years. We intend to continue the process. Some of the initiatives that would be taken are -proliferation of cash accepting Automatic Ticket Vending Machines; Ticketing on mobile phones in the unreserved segment; PNR status update to passengers through system generated SMS; an update for train running information; Online booking of retiring rooms at all important stations; Online booking of meals on trains for selected en-route stations; Introduction of e-forwarding note and electronic transmission of railway receipts for freight customers, which will enable users to carry out freight business with Railways from the comfort of their homes and offices; and Computerisation of claims settlement process on Indian Railways.
Revenue Freight Traffic
33. A target of loading 1,047 million tonnes during 2013-14 was set for Indian Railways. I am happy to inform the House that we would surpass the Budget estimate.
34. In order to increase the share of rail borne traffic, an innovative “Empty Flow Discount Scheme” is being formulated and will be implemented shortly. For further increasing throughput on the existing network, carrying additional traffic and bolstering freight earnings, universalisation of all routes on Indian Railways as ‘CC+9+1’ (Carrying Capacity+9 tonne+1 tonne) is being planned.
35. Container traffic has witnessed rapid growth in the last few years. For facilitating seamless transport of imported cargo, some of the restrictions on movement of imported commodities through containers have been eased. Further, to increase throughput of container traffic, the permissible carrying capacity of 20 feet containers has been enhanced by 4 tonnes by necessary upgrade of rolling stock.
36. There is a vast potential to be tapped in the area of parcel traffic. An aggressive strategy has been evolved for attracting more such traffic to rail. Parcel trains will be run from nominated parcel terminals which have been already notified for achieving the above, and Special Parcel Trains will be run on scheduled timings, so that time-sensitive cargo can be attracted. A new policy on parcels will be formulated which shall also encourage transportation of milk across the country. A new concept of hub and spoke for parcel business will be introduced. Third party warehousing in Special Parcel Terminals is also envisaged. Financial Performance, 2012-13
37. Madam Speaker, I would now like to present in brief the final results for the previous fiscal, 2012-13. I am happy to report that the freight loading by the Railways at 1,008 million tonnes surpassed the revised target of 1,007 million tonnes. Railways paid full dividend of Rs 5,389 crore to the General Exchequer. The Operating Ratio finally achieved was 90.2%, an improvement over 94.9% in 2011-12. The Fund balances, which were at negative Rs 385 crore at the beginning of the year, finally closed at a positive Rs 2,391 crore even after full repayment, including interest, of the loan of Rs 3,000 crore taken in the previous year. 11
Financial Performance, 2013-14
38. Given the promising trend of loading, the target has been scaled up to about 1052 million tonnes from the budget target of 1047 million tonnes. However, the average lead of freight traffic is falling, and is likely to be 622 km against budgeted 644.5 km. Yet, we are confident of surpassing the freight earnings target which has been increased to Rs 94,000 crore from Rs. 93,554 crore in Budget Estimates.
Considering the trend of passenger earnings, the revised target has been kept at Rs 37,500 crore.
39. There has been continuing strong inflationary pressure on the input costs, especially the cost of fuel, both HSD Oil and electrical energy.
There has also been a higher than expected burden on account of significant fresh recruitment in many safety categories, additional dearness allowance for Railway employees and dearness relief for Railway pensioners.
Yet, as a result of stringent and close monitoring, the increase under Ordinary Working Expenses has been kept at a modest Rs 560 crore only. However, pension allocation requirements have gone up by a more significant Rs 2,000 crore.
Dividend payment to General Revenues has also gone up by Rs 1,591crore with the increase in the rate from 4% to 5%.
40. Considering the trend of earnings and expenditure, the revised plan outlay stands at Rs 59,359 crore.
Operating Ratio of Railways is likely to be 90.8% as against budgeted target of 87.8%.