The 20th Chief Minister of Karnataka and the current Union Railway Minister, D.V Sadananda Gowda presented the ‘Railway Budget 2014’ in the parliament on the 8th of July, 2014.
The budget focuses on various aspects from new projects to freight charges and from food on trains to cleanliness. The government has invited domestic firms and foreign companies to invest in the rail infrastructure, initiating an all new chapter for FDI in Railways.
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The budget proposes to introduce five Jansadharan, five premium, six air-conditioned, eight passenger and twenty-seven express trains. In terms of food, the railways are all set to carry special milk tanks in collaboration with Amul and National Dairy Development Board. There is also a proposal to set up food courts at selected stations so that people can enjoy regional cuisines while travelling.
Railways are boarded by all sections of the society so, the amenities available are made keeping all their needs and preferences in mind. For senior citizens, a special link will be created to adjoin all the four Char Dham pilgrimages. Apart from this, around four thousand RPF women constables would be recruited and special care will be taken for single woman passenger.
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Now, a combo platform ticket will be made available which will be inclusive of the parking space. Passengers travelling in A1 and A compartments can also make use of the free Wi-Fi services. For cleanliness, the budget invites reputed non-governmental organizations and corporate houses for the proper maintenance of stations and trains.
Talking about the increased fare, the railway minister explained, “This state of affairs of Indian Railways needs immediate course correction. Among the many corrective steps that I have planned out, fare revision was one which was a tough but a necessary decision”.
Addressing to the Lok Sabha speaker, Sumitra Mahajan, he said, “This fare revision will bring Indian Railways an additional revenue of about 8,000 crore. However, we need more than 9 Lakh crore to complete the Golden Quadrilateral Network and about 60,000 crore for introducing one bullet train alone” (from the official document of Indian Railways Budget 2014).
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Along with this, the speed of the trains will be raised from 160 to 200 kmph on selected routes like Delhi-Agra, Mumbai-Goa etc. to reduce travel time.
Thus, with the launch of 58 new trains and introduction of FDI investment in railways, the new Modi government is augmenting a ray of hope. Few major stations will also be raised to global standards like airports, through public-private partnership (PPP).
He concluded his budget speech with a quote: “I am aware that I would receive both praise and criticism alike. Lastly, I would like to recall a popular verse of D.V. Gundappa, a famous poet, philosopher and writer of Kannada, who wrote under the penname – Mankutimma.
It is not that after reading this book, there will be no more doubts.
It is not that what we believe today will hold up forever.
If someone points at some shortcoming,
I have an open mind to correct.
But for now, I believe this is right.
With these words, I commend the Railway Budget for 2014-15 to the August House.” (Official document of the Indian Railways Budget)
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