No new trains due to saturation of high density networks: AK Mittal

Railway Board chairman A K Mittal on Thursday said that no new trains have been introduced in the railway budget for 2015-16 due to the saturation of high density networks in the nation.

"This is a path breaking budget. Usually a proposal is for only one year, but we have given a roadmap for the next five years. We have stated that we will spend Rs 8.56 lakh crores on various plans as proposed in the budget," Mittal said at a press conference in the national capital.

"Around 65 percent of the main high density networks which connect metros are completely saturated. This is why we are not able to take out more trains are not able to maintain the punctuality of the existing ones. The bulk of the investment is going on the doubling of the tracks and related facilities," he added.

Earlier in the day, Union Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu had presented his maiden budget in the Parliament, stating that the sector has to undergo a transformation over the next five years.

He said the proposed investment in railways will be Rs. 8,56,020 crores by 2019.

The thrust of the Railways is to become a prime mover of the economy once again, act as a resource mobilisation for higher investments, decongestion of heavy haul routes and speeding up of trains, emphasis on gauge conversion, doubling, tripling and electrification.

The minister also announced that Wi-Fi would be provided at 'B' category stations.