No hike in train passenger fares

However, changes were made in freight rates

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu today spared passengers from any hike in fares but made changes in freight rates to rake in more money while ruling out privatisation.

Presenting the first full-fledged Rail Budget of the Modi government for 2015-16, he made adjustments in freight rates that exempted salt but would hike rates on carriage of cement, coal and coke, iron or steel and petroleum products.

The Budget also revised the commodity classification and distance slabs for carriage of commodities that can raise freight rates upto 10% in some of the items.

The Minister did not project any figures that will accrue out of the adjustment in freight rates to be effective from April 1 this year.

"I have not increased passenger fares. We are directing our efforts to make travel on Indian railways a happy experience with a mix of various initiatives," he said as he laid out 11 major thrust areas of railways in the coming financial year.

He did not announce any new trains, saying on the ground that a review was on about the capacity to add more trains which will be announced after the review is over.

Against the backdrop of talk of privatisation of railways, the Minister said Railways will continue to be a precious national asset and people of India will own railways always.

In the hour-long speech, Prabhu unveiled the thrust areas as the national carrier to become the prime mover of economy again, resource mobilisation for higher investments, decongestion of heavy routes and speeding up of trains, passenger amenities and safety.

Outlining the budget estimates for the coming year, he proposed a plan outlay of Rs 1,00,011 crore, an increase of 52% over revised estimate of 2014-15. Passenger earnings growth has been pegged at 16.7% and earnings target budgeted at Rs 50,175 crore.

Goods earnings is accordingly proposed at Rs 1,21,423 crore, which includes rationalisation of rates, commodity classification and distance slabs.