Thaindian News

New Delhi, July 3 (IANS) Following are the highlights of the rail budget for the current fiscal presented by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee in the Lok Sabha Friday:
- New train information system to be started in Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi

- 50 mobile rail ticket vans to be introduced

- ATMs on 200 mid and small sized stations

- Integrated security scheme rolled out for 140 vulnerable stations

- Special recruitment drive for the physically challenged, minorities

- Committee under Sam Pitroda to commercialise railways’ optic fibre network

- Private operation of freight terminals to be encouraged

- One doctor to be posted on each long distance train

- New factory in West Bengal for making 500 state-of-the-art coaches annually

- Janta khana (peoples’ food) to be provided in railway stations

- Railways will not be guided by economic viability, but by social commitment

- Seven nursing colleges to provide employment to railway spouses

- Medical colleges proposed to be opened through public-private partnership model

- Cold storages and cargo facilities to eliminate wastage of perishables

- 50 world class stations to be developed on public-private partnership model

- 309 out of 375 stations will be developed with modern facilities

- 50 stations at tourist, religious places to have integrated facilities

- Infotainment facilities on Rajdhani Express for long distance passengers

- Unreserved ticketing systems to be expanded from 5,000 to 8,000 terminals

- Passengers can now buy tickets at 5,000 post offices

- Air-conditioned double-decker trains for inter-city travel

- SMS updates for wait-listed passengers

- 200 automatic vending machines at key stations for selling tickets