Railway Budget 2015: Here’s what’s in store for passengers

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, who presented his maiden Railway Budget today, may have disappointed India Inc, but he certainly brought cheer to the common man. Saying it is a populist budget won’t be wrong as the Rail Minister announced a slew of consumer-oriented reforms today. BI India lists down what Rail Budget 2015 has in it for the passengers:

1. In a huge relief to the rail passengers, the Rail Minister refrained from increasing the rail fares.

2. Making railways more passenger-friendly, Rail minister announced pan India 24x7 helpline number 138 to address passenger complaints and issues. The helpline number 138 will be operational from March 1, 2015.

3. Bio-toilets to replace 17,000 old toilets.

4. Emphasizing on the need for sanitation in the trains, 600 new toilets will be constructed.

5. Senior citizens can now book wheelchairs online.

6. In order to address security concerns on board, the Rail Minister has announced to install CCTV cameras in ladies compartments and the mainline area.

7. Senior citizens can now book wheelchairs online.

8. Mobile charging ports to be installed in trains.

9. Taking a cue from Digital India, the Rail Minister also plans to launch Wi-Fi in 400 stations across India.

10. Addressing the perennial issue of lack of communication about the arrival and departure of the trains, the rail minister announced SMS alert services to inform the passengers about the train schedule.

11. Better bed rolls and inner coach designs in trains. The ministry is in talks with NIFT and NID for the task.

12. General coaches to be added to selective trains.

13. In order to support passengers with vision problems, new manufactured coaches will be Braille-enabled.

14. Introducing frills to the railways, Rail Minister Prabhu announced on-board entertainment in select Shatabdi trains.

15. Investment worth Rs 120 crore will be made in constructing lifts and escalators in railway stations.

16. Keeping passenger comfort in mind, the Union Minister also announced 67% more allocation of funds to passenger amenities.

17. Increasing its connectivity to the North East region, trains to Meghalaya will be soon launched

18. Satellite railway terminals will be launched in prime cities

19. The Rail Minister Prabhu took into account the rising cases of accidents at railway crossing and hence announced to introduce audio-based warnings at unmanned railway crossing

20. Train speed to go up to ensure faster completion of train journey between inter-metro cities

21. Lastly, passengers can now book tickets four months in advance