More trains, new lines expected from rail budget

Kharge's budget will be growth-oriented budget and not a deficit.

Faced with a revenue shortfall, Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge will not bring about reduction in basic passenger fares in the interim budget tomorrow but is likely to make adjustment in fuel adjustment component so that impact on fares is minimum in an election year.

Kharge is likely to announce more trains, new lines and better passenger amenities in the interim budget.

Railway Ministry sources said it will be a growth-oriented budget and not a deficit one despite fall in earnings.

Freight and passenger earnings have shown a decline during the April-December 2013 period. While freight earnings are short by about Rs 850 cr, the decrease in passenger revenue is about Rs 4000 cr.

Though the then Railway Minister Lalu Prasad had announced a two per cent fare cut in passenger segment in the interim budget of 2009, Kharge is unlikely to do so now given the dismal financial scenario.

However, Kharge is likely to announce measures for better amenities and safety for passengers while at the same time undertaking steps to improve the fiscal position.

The announcement of running 20 premier trains on dynamic fares as a step to arrest the fall in passenger revenue is likely to be made.

In a bid to give passengers relief from the impending fare hike in April due to implementation of fuel adjustment component (FAC), Kharge is also likely to make some adjustment in FAC so that impact on passenger fares is minimum.

The interim rail budget will also focus on electrification of more routes so that dependence on diesel is less.

Railways are likely to take up about 1500 km route for electrification in the next fiscal. Currently, only about 24,000 km is electrified out of the total 65,000 km route.