New Delhi, Jan 30: Railway Minister Nitish Kumar presented the Railway vote-on-account 2004-05 in the Lok Sabha today. All train fares remain unchanged. Highlights of Railway vote-on-account, 2004-05:
New trains
  • New series of fast trains called ‘Sampark Kranti Express’ to be introduced to connect states to national capital

  • Sampark Kranti Express trains to run non-stop beyond the states, have dedicated staff, public address system

  • First Sampark Kranti Express between Delhi and Bangalore to be introduced on February 08

  • 17 other Sampark Kranti Express trains to cover other states

  • Most of the trains announced in Budget 2003-04, including Jan Sadaharan Express introduced. Rest to be introduced shortly

  • New projects
  • Work on all projects in full swing. Jammu-Udhampur to be opened on March 25

  • Projects sanctioned on socio-economic considerations to connect remote areas to be speeded in the next five years through Remote Area Rail Sampark Yojna with additional outlay of Rs 20,000 crore

    • Safety
  • 14 projects approved as a joint effort between Ministry of Railways, Ministry of HRD and industries

  • ACD provisioning on 1,736 km launched on January 20. ACD on remaining BG sections to be provided in the next five years

    • Ticketing initiatives
  • Unreserved ticketing system to be extended

  • Pilot project of e-ticketing to be introduced for select Shatabdi Express trains

  • Reservations through mobile phones to be introduced

  • Regular incentive scheme announced for frequent Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Jan Shatabdi passengers

  • Information about delayed departure of Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Jan Shatabdi trains to be made available through SMS

  • Tatkal services to be extended

    • Financial Performance in 2002-03

  • Freight loading at 518.74 million tonnes surpassed revised target of 515 mt

  • Besides current dividend of Rs 2665 crore, Rs 50 crore of deferred dividend paid

  • Operating ratio improved to 92.3% as against budgeted 94.4%

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    Review of Financial Performance in 2003-04

  • Freight loading target enhanced to 550 mt, number of passengers likely to grow by 3% over previous year

  • Ordinary working expenses likely to be less by Rs 1490 crore

  • Appropriation to Pension Fund reduced by Rs 295 crore, appropriation to DRF increased by Rs 262 crore

  • Besides current dividend of Rs 2968 core, Rs 300 crore of deferred dividend to be cleared

  • Operating ratio likely to increase to 92.6% from budgeted 94.1%

  • Plan outlay increased by Rs 1000 crore and fixed at Rs 13,918 crore

    • Budget estimates 2004-05

  • Expected growth in freight traffic – 20 mt and around 3% in number of passengers

  • Gross traffic receipts estimated at Rs 44,482 crore

  • Ordinary working expenses budgeted at Rs 32,960 crore

  • Besides current dividend of Rs 3305 core, Rs 300 crore of deferred dividend to be cleared

  • Budgeted operating ratio 93%

    • Annual Plan 2004-05

  • Plan outlay fixed at Rs 13,425 consisting of budgetary support of Rs 4544 crore, SRSF Rs 2795 crore, Rs 401 crore from Central Road Fund, Internal resources of Rs 2635 crore and market borrowing of Rs 3050 crore. Also includes an outlay of Rs 717 crore for Rail Vikas Nigam Limited

    • Security
  • Railway Protection Force gearing up to take over the additional responsibility of train escorting and security in passenger areas with effect from July 01, 2004

    • Bureau Report