Indian Railway Budget -2008

Highlights of Indian Railway Budget (2008-2009)


* Expansion of over 50 terminals underway.

* To consider BoT based projects.

* Mulling rail link for Ennore port.

* Plan automatic signalling at Gaziabad-Kanpur segment.

* To upgrade infrastructure in 7 years at 750 bln rupees.

* To make only steel coaches from FY10.

* Warehousing, logistics services to be given to railways.

* 195 stations to get foot overbridge.

* 448 stations to be provided shelters, sheds.

* 2008-09 target 20,000 wagons to be made, highest ever.

* 2007-08 wagon production seen 15,000.

* 2.5 bln rupees for acoustic bearing rail detectors.

* 2007-08 net revenue 184 bln rupees.

* 2007-08 cash surplus seen 250 bln rupees.

* 2007-08 utilisation ratio 63.3%

* 310 mln tn excess freight loading target in next 4 yrs

* Staff benefit fund to be 350 rupees/employee FY09.

* Staff benefit fund to be upped 10 times in FY09.

* Smart tickets to be extended from W Railways to others.

* Planning "smart card" based ticket system.

* Aim to have no queues for tickets in 2 years

* Ashok Chakra winner can travel Rajdhani, Shatabdi free.