Computerisation spending increased by 46 per cent

200 stations to get Automated Vending Machines.

Computerisation is high on the railways’ agenda. The Budget allocation on this has been increased by 46 per cent, from Rs 227 crore last year to Rs 332 crore. The figure also represents a 50 per cent increase over the Rs 220 crore figure presented by former minister Lalu Prasad in the Interim Budget this February.

Banerjee, for instance, has introduced the ‘Maa, Mati, Manush’ initiative, under which computerised tickets will be made available at 5,000 post offices. Also, for unreserved tickets, the number of Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) terminals is being expanded from 5,000 to 8,000.

The rail budget also has plans to install Automated Vending Machines (AVMs) at 200 large- and medium-size stations by expanding e-ticketing.

Cancellation of confirmed e-tickets after preparation of charts is being simplified. SMS updates will also be provided on wait-listed tickets, beside indicating berth numbers on confirmed tickets by the end of the financial year. The Budget also talks of on-board infotainment services (similar to that on some airlines) on Rajdhanis, Shatabdis and important long-distance inter-city trains.

Another highlight is the introduction of 50 mobile ticketing vans, ‘Mushkil Aasaan’, this year. These will issue reserved and unreserved tickets in both rural and urban areas, especially remote ones.

On safety, timely track renewal, modernisation of signals and use of safety equipment like digital ultrasonic flaw detectors and wheel impact load detectors (WILD) will be introduced for the safety of passengers, beside an Integrated Security Scheme at 140 vulnerable and sensitive stations.

Banerjee has also proposed an expert committee headed by Sam Pitroda to suggest innovations to utilise the optic fibre cable (OFC) network of the Railways and take information technology to remote areas.

She recalled making a similar announcement in the 2001-02 Railway Budget, adding: "After eight years, I find little progress.”