Railway minister Suresh Prabhu on Thursday presented his first budget. Following are highlights of the Railway Budget 2015-16:
*Have not increased the passengers fares: Prabhu
*Tickets can now be booked 120 days ahead of travel date, instead of 60 days now, to tackle tout menace
*In 400 stations Wi-Fi facility will be provided
*67% more funds allotted for passenger amenities
*Introduction of train sets saving 20% journey time, similar to bullet trains in design, can run on existing tracks
*We will be increasing number of general coaches in identified trains for benefit of common man: Prabhu
*Facility of online booking of wheelchair for senior citizens
*We are committed to provide rail connectivity to northeastern states: Prabhu
*SMS alert service to inform passengers about arrival and departure of trains
*To provide freedom to our valued passengers to choose their meals, e-catering has been introduce in 108 trains: Prabhu
*A mobile application to address complaints of people is also being developed: Prabhu
*Introducing Operation 5 mins, wherein passengers travelling unreserved can purchase a ticket in 5 minutes: Prabhu
*Railways would utilise the Nirbhaya fund for augmenting safer travel for women: Prabhu
{{/usCountry}}*Railways would utilise the Nirbhaya fund for augmenting safer travel for women: Prabhu
{{/usCountry}}*We will increase number of mechanised laundry, an all-India 24-7 helpline number will become operational: Prabhu
*This year alone we intend to replace 17, 000 more toilets by bio-toilets: Prabhu
*Cleanliness in railways highest priority for us, we now work on Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat: Prabhu
*To prevent fire in coaches, we'll install train protection warning system and train collision avoiding system: Prabhu #RailBudget2015
*Speedier railway - 9 high-speed corridors and high-speed trains
*The transformation of railways has huge opportunities for 'Make in India' campaign
*The average speed of freight trains both in empty and filled condition will be enhanced: Prabhu