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Anticipation is steadily building for the Union Budget of 2024, which President Murmu has hinted could be “historic”. Stakeholders are optimistic about policies aimed at enhancing domestic production and fostering economic growth. Consumers, on the other hand, eagerly await the potential benefits coming their way—including ones from the upcoming <keyword id="12026484" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Railway-budget" source="Orion">Railway budget</keyword>. According to reports thus far, the Union Budget of 2024 is expected to place a significant emphasis on the Railway industry—one of the three cores of the Indian economy. This time, there is a strong expectation that the Railway budget will address various consumer-centric issues, including travel safety and overall experience quality. As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the Union Budget on July 23, here are some key expectations for the Railway industry: <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Highest-ever allocation for Indian Railways budget" comment="subhead" text="Highest-ever allocation for Indian Railways budget">Highest-ever allocation for <keyword id="6355455" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Railways" source="Orion">Indian Railways</keyword> budget</cmsannotation> <keyword id="15478236" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="budget-2024" source="Orion">Budget 2024</keyword> is anticipated to heavily focus on several aspects of the railway sector. In the interim budget of 2024, the <keyword id="19905911" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Railways" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Ministry of Railways" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Ministry of Railways">Ministry of Railways</keyword> was allocated Rs 2.55 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2024-25. However, the upcoming budget is expected to increase this allocation significantly, ET NOW reports. It could potentially reach Rs 3 lakh crore, marking the highest-ever allocation for this sector. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Increased focus on passenger safety and capacity" comment="subhead" text="Increased focus on passenger safety and capacity">Increased focus on passenger safety and capacity</cmsannotation> During the Lok Sabha elections, the <keyword id="6360676" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="railways" source="Orion">railways</keyword> ministry faced significant criticism for various safety incidents and overcrowding in general coaches. To address these issues, the ministry is expected to allocate substantial funds to prevent operational mishaps, expand rail capacity and reduce congestion, the Business Standard reports. The government is expected to focus on the implementation of Kavach, an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection System. Experts welcome the government’s emphasis on safety upgrades, particularly the network-wide implementation of train protection systems and the mechanisation of maintenance operations. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Enhancing passenger travel experience and quality" comment="subhead" text="Enhancing passenger travel experience and quality">Enhancing passenger travel experience and quality</cmsannotation> The budget is also anticipated to focus on improving facilities for passengers, modernising amenities and enhancing the overall quality of railway travel, as per Goodreturns. Capital expenditure will likely be directed towards upgrading coaches, with an initial plan to upgrade 40,000 bogies, and improving sanitation facilities. Passenger comfort and safety will continue to be priorities as the public increasingly values comfort over cost. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Possible reinstatement of Senior Citizen Railway Concession" comment="subhead" text="Possible reinstatement of Senior Citizen Railway Concession">Possible reinstatement of <keyword id="22455972" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Senior-Citizen-Railway-Concession" source="keywords">Senior Citizen Railway Concession</keyword></cmsannotation> There is growing anticipation about the potential reinstatement of the Senior Citizen Railway Concession during Budget 2024, according to Business Today. This move is seen as particularly significant ahead of the upcoming general elections later this year. In March 2020, the Indian Railways discontinued discounts on train fares for senior citizens and women, requiring them to pay full fares like other passengers. Previously, the Senior Citizen Railway Concession was available for all classes of mail and express trains. Reports and RTI inquiries have revealed that the withdrawal of these concessions led to significant additional revenue for the Railways. During the suspension period, the Indian Railways accrued Rs 5,062 crore from eight crore senior citizens, with Rs 2,242 crore resulting from the absence of concessions. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Prioritising infrastructure spending" comment="subhead" text="Prioritising infrastructure spending">Prioritising infrastructure spending</cmsannotation> The <keyword id="19935166" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget-2024" source="keywords">Union Budget 2024</keyword> is expected to prioritise infrastructure spending, the Goodreturns report adds. The focus is likely to be on rapid development and completion of tracks, rolling stock manufacturing and delivery of passenger freight services. Capital funds are likely to be allocated for expanding the metro network, NaMo Bharat corridors, Vande Bharat trains, high-speed corridors and economic corridors. Plans also include developing a high-speed rail network like the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route and allocating funds towards the Rapid Rail Transport System.

Union Budget 2024 for Railways: Expectations focused on improving passenger safety, experience, infrastructure

<ul><li>Stocks related to rail sector like Titagarh wagons, Texmac, Rail Vikas Nigam have been rallying in the last one month on expectation of significant hike in budget for railways.</li><li>In the last year’s budget, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced ₹1.10 lakh crore for railways.</li><li>As of November 2021, 61% of the budgeted amount had been spent.</li></ul>The government’s efforts towards infrastructure development is expected to continue aggressively in this <keyword id="6360189" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="union-budget" source="Orion">Union Budget</keyword> as well. Railway is among the core infrastructure assets for the country and all eyes are on the budget allocation towards it. In the last year’s budget, India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced ₹1.10 lakh crore for railways for FY 2021-22. As of November 2021, 61% of the budgeted amount had been spent. Further, it is expected that the government would allocate ₹1.3 lakh crore for railways under the national infrastructure pipeline from expected capital expenditure of ₹7 lakh crore for FY23. <a href="https://www.livemint.com/budget/expectations/railways-likely-to-get-a-booster-shot-in-union-budget-11642530605223.html">Reportedly</a>, the government is planning to raise the fund allocation to ₹2.5 lakh crore for railways. Since the government has reportedly suffered a loss of ₹26,338 crore last year due to COVID-19, thus it may increase train fares as well. The expectations of strong funds coming into the railway sector have led to huge buying in shares of some railway companies. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Railway companies </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Last one month’s stock price change </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Texmaco Rail &amp; Engineering </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+36% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Titagarh Wagons </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+29% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rail Vikas Nigam </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+7% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">RITES </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+4% </td></tr></tbody></table>Railway sector includes the government’s ambitious projects like high-speed rail including bullet trains and analysts expect special allocation to these segments in the upcoming budget. “The government should provide some dedicated allocations towards these projects (bullet trains, sagar mala, smart cities, inland waterways developments) in the budget,” said analysts at KR Choksey. Analysts believe Indian railways require an estimated ₹50 trillion between 2018-2030 to strengthen its infrastructure, electrification and signaling process. “We expect capital expenditure allocation for railways to be increased substantially,” said analysts at KR Choksey. In the FY22 budget, the government had increased the <keyword id="12026484" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="railway-budget" source="Orion">railway budget</keyword> by 52%. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Railway budget in last few years </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Amount </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FY22 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹1.10 lakh crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FY21 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹72,220 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FY20 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹69,972 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FY19 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹55,140 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FY18 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹45,230 crore </td></tr></tbody></table> SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/the-indian-government-has-spent-less-than-half-the-money-it-had-budgeted-for-capital-investments-so-far/articleshow/88852518.cms">The Indian government has spent less than half the money it had budgeted for capital investments, so far</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/looking-to-buy-new-age-tech-stocks-like-zomato-heres-what-experts-are-suggesting/articleshow/89165999.cms">Tempted to buy new age tech stocks — Zomato, Paytm, Nykaa? Here’s what experts are suggesting</a>

Railway stocks have been buzzing for the last one month on expectation of significant budget allocation

The Cabinet has given a green signal railway projects amounting to Rs 10,700 crore, which also includes construction of six railway lines and a bridge. 
 
Majority of the expenditure is expected to be met through extra budgetary resources. 
 
The Indian Railways is also planning to add four more dedicated freight corridors. 
 
Presently, the railways has undertaken Rs 81,459 crore projects to develop 3,342 km track comprising Eastern and Western DFC. 
 
Among the proposals cleared on Wednesday include doubling of a 190-km-long Hubli-Chickajur broad gauge single railway line. The total estimated expenditure will be Rs 1294.13 crore. The project is part of an important rail link of passenger trains between Mumbai and Bangalore and goods trains to the ports at Mangalore. 
 <keyword id="2598106" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Railway-minister-Suresh-Prabhu">Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu</keyword>, gearing up to present his second Rail Budget on February 25, will unveil a plan to cut expenses and at the same time increase non-tariff revenue substantially to wade through the difficult phase in the public behemoth.

Budget 2016-17: Indian Railways gets nod for projects worth Rs 10,700 crore

When Suresh Prabhu will present the Railway Budget 2016-17 on February 25, passengers would ease a bit as the minister is unlikely to hike fares. 
 
Instead, Prabhu will focus on strengthening the existing network and look out for innovative cash generation methods. 
 
This is the second time that the fares will remain unchanged. However, there was a hike in freight charges in the last one. 
 
Instead, the Railway Ministry will look at revamping 269 categories of concessions and monetise railway properties to generate funds. 
 
In a bid to raise funds, the ministry could give names of the coaches for branding. 
 
Also, the ministry has changed its children policy and from April 21, it is likely that children will be given a berth only on payment of full fare, unlike by present half-fare. 
 
Also, Prabhu is likely to announce the semi-high-speed 'Gatimaan' train, higher number of Suvidha trains, etc. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

Railways Budget 2016: Suresh Prabhu not to burden passengers; will focus on innovation for revenue generation

Facing resource crunch, <keyword id="6360676" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Railways">Railways</keyword> is said to be mulling the possibility of effecting a 5 to 10 per cent increase in the <keyword id="111532" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Passenger-fares">passenger fares</keyword> in the coming budget. 
 
The proposal is being considered against the backdrop of a decline in both passenger and freight earnings and the additional burden of Rs 32,000 cr towards implementing the 7th pay commission recommendations, Railway Ministry sources said. 
 On top of this, the gross budgetary support for the 2015-16 has also been slashed by Rs 8,000 cr by the <keyword id="47209" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-Ministry">Finance Ministry</keyword> due to low spending by the Railways. 
 
The sources said while there are several possibilities including a fare hike are being looked into nothing has been finalised yet. 
 
There is a feeling in rail bhawan that a fare hike in the budget to be presented on Feb 25 can be more beneficial as the railways can utilise the peak season beginning March. 
 
Currently AC fares are already on higher side. If AC fares are raise, then they could even surpass the fares of low-cost air carriers in some sectors. 
 
Similarly, freight rates are also at a high level and loading of steel, cement, coal, iron ore and fertiliser is on a down slide that rules out any further increase in this area. 
 Railways had effected a 14 per cent across-the-board hike in passenger fares in 2014 during the <keyword id="405092" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="NDA-regime">NDA regime</keyword> and a 10 per cent increase last year. 
 
Railways' total earnings from freight and passenger fares were Rs 1,36,079.26 cr until January this year as against the target of Rs 141,416.05 cr, a shortfall of 3.77 per cent. 
 
Acknowledging the decline in earnings sources said various options were being explored to perk up revenue collections. 
 
While one option is to raise the fares in selected routes, the other is to go for increasing the cost of services provided. 
 
Meanwhile railways have undertaken steps for cutting the costs and for commercial exploitation of surplus railway land besides looking at higher revenues from advertisement in a bid to tide over the crisis. The focus may be on improving non-tariff collection, the sources said. 
 
Railways have conducted a study by Axis Capital which has recommended a 10 per cent hike in passenger fares and a 5 per cent raise in freight rates to improve the state-run transporter's finances.

Rail budget may hike passenger fares by 5 to 10%

(Photo Source: pixabay.com) <ul><li>Amid the outcry against budget airlines in India charging for online check-ins, state-owned <keyword id="6355455" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-railways">Indian Railways</keyword> took to Twitter to remind travellers of the benefits taking trains over flights including its free web check-in and cheaper tariffs. </li><li>It also highlighted that by using the railways, passengers can avoid “long queues” for baggage check-ins and reduce their carbon footprint </li><li>Since the backlash from flyers, IndiGo has released a clarification that the web check-in policy for the airlines has not been changed and the flyers can still pre-book seats as per the availability.</li></ul>Amid the outcry against budget airlines in India charging for online check-ins, state-owned Indian Railways took to Twitter to list the <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/indian-railways-takes-witty-dig-at-indigo-other-airlines-over-web-checkin-lists-reasons-to-travel-by-trains/1394356/">benefits</a> of “good old railways” over taking flights such as its free web check-in, cheaper tariffs and lower carbon footprint. Recently, budget airlines IndiGo and Spicejet announced that they will begin charging for online check-in services that led to many flyers complaining on social media, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indian-government-to-review-indigo-spicejet-policies-to-charge-for-web-check-in-after-flyers-protest/articleshow/66805080.cms">prompting</a> even the Indian government to review the move. On Monday, the Indian Railways tweeted, “No need to pay extra charges for web check-ins. No long queues for checking in your luggage. Avoid unreasonable tariff &amp; reduce your carbon footprint by travelling on the good old Indian Railways at affordable rates.” along with a detailed infographic. 
 
 
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 Since the backlash from flyers, IndiGo has issued a <a href="https://www.livemint.com/Companies/nZ7GK9IWW6M0sK990m2qYI/IndiGo-flights-web-checkin-free-seats-charges.html">clarification</a> that the web check-in policy for the airlines has not been changed and the flyers can still pre-book the free seats available during web check-in, if they have no specific preference. The price will only be applicable for selecting seats in advance. It had earlier said that its new policy went into effect in Mid-November. Airlines in India have been struggling of late because of higher fuel prices and rising operational costs, prompting many airlines to look at ways to cut costs or increase revenue. Indian Railways appears to be increasingly capitalising on the opportunity to woo airline passengers. Last week, it increased the number of coaches on trains between Mumbai and Delhi after a runway shut down at the Delhi airport, leading to escalating airline fares, PTI reported. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indian-government-to-review-indigo-spicejet-policies-to-charge-for-web-check-in-after-flyers-protest/articleshow/66805080.cms">Indian government to review IndiGo, Spicejet policies to charge for web check-in after flyers protest</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indias-cash-strapped-national-carrier-to-raise-850-million-by-selling-seven-aircraft/articleshow/66710092.cms">India’s cash-strapped national carrier to raise $850 million by selling seven aircraft</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-indian-government-is-planning-a-rescue-package-for-the-aviation-sector-as-the-losses-pile-up/articleshow/65681289.cms">The Indian government is planning a rescue package for the aviation sector as the losses pile up</a>

Indian Railways had the best response to budget airlines in India charging for online check-ins

Railway Minister <keyword id="6356597" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Suresh-Prabhu">Suresh Prabhu</keyword> presented the annual railway budget on Thursday, much in line with the general expectations of the railway board experts. While one thing that definitely stands out for us is the partnership with dot com giant Google for providing free wifi across stations, he also surprised us with his no price hike mantra, considering that the Railways has been incurring steep losses. 
 
Revenue losses 
Looking back at the balance sheets of the Indian Railways, one can comfortably say that the organisation has not been able to clock in much revenues in the past few years. In fact, Suresh Prabhu in his speech did point out that the Indian Railways has incurred a loss of whopping Rs 30,000 crore as a result of cross-subsidy from from freight to passenger operations this year. 
 
Besides, the organisation did not meet its revenue target for the year and earned Rs 136,079.26 crore as against the target of Rs 141,416.05 crore during April-January period, indicating a decline of 3.77 %. 
 
Experts have estimated that the railways have incurred a loss of Rs 23 paise per passenger over subsidized fares. And out of sixteen premium trains that are run by it, eight have been loss-making. 
 
Ambitious plans but can they happen? 
It’s no secret that the private sector has been betting big on the Modi government’s initiatives. However, government projects have been infamously known for inordinate delays, which is a huge deterrent for the private sector from an investment point of view. To top it, weak financials doesn’t make the public-partnership prospect appear attractive. 
 
Thus, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu may be looking at launching e-catering services and new trains across the country, the fact that no fare hikes imply a revenue dip in the current fiscal year seems inevitable.

No hikes in the fare this Railway Budget 2016 but can Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu make his grand plans come true?

With no fare hike, increased expenditure and borrowing, many are wondering how <keyword id="2598106" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Railway-minister-Suresh-Prabhu">Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu</keyword> will turn his <keyword id="3173707" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rail-Budget-2016">Rail Budget 2016</keyword> into reality. 
 
During his rail budget speech, Prabhu said that the current revenue through non-fare sources is less than 5% and it will be increased to world average of 10% by next five years. 
 
Well, it seems the minister was not talking in the air as he has innovative plans to raise capital. 
 
1. Generating revenue by monetizing land: Prabhu has plans to lease out the land available adjacent to tracks to promote horticulture and tree plantation. Apart from generating employment, it will remove encroachment and may also be used for generating solar energy . 
 
2. Advertisements: Indian Railways will focus on advertising on stations, trains and land adjacent to tracks. 
 
3. Station redevelopment: This programme has been initiated to monetize land and buildings through commercial exploitation of vacant land and space rights over station buildings. 
 
4. Soft assets: Data collected on passenger preferences, ticketing, commodity, train running on various services and operations will also be monetized. E-commerce initiatives will also be seen by IRCTC. 
 
5. Parcel: Railways will revamp its parcel policies and increase the non-fare revenue. 
 
6. Manufacturing: Increased productivity and better manufacturing will become important. It is aimed to generate annualized revenues of about Rs 4,000 crore by 2020. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

Rail Budget 2016: Suresh Prabhu is going to make money through non-fare sources

If all goes well, there would be no passenger subsidies in the <keyword id="6360676" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Railways">railways</keyword> from next year. The railway ministry has sought an approval from the cabinet to create an independent agency that would look into passenger fares and freight prices. This committee will consist of a chairman and four members independent of the railways. While the proposal has already been given thumbs up from the Niti Ayog, cabinet approval is still awaited. 
 
An official of the railways has said that the Prime Minister and his office is aware of it and is supportive of this agency. 
 
Fixing fares has always been a walking on rope for ministers of different tenures because it’s through the railways they earned the extra political mileage of appeasing the voters. If this committee is approved, passenger fares wouldn’t be a decisive matter for the minster. Regardless of whoever runs the ministry, the separate committee will decide on fare. 
 The first milestone of reform in the railways was brought by railway minister <keyword id="6356597" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Suresh-Prabhu">Suresh Prabhu</keyword> by merging of the budgets with annual union budget. The national transporter of India has been bleeding a loss of Rs 33,000 crores every year in passenger fare subsidies. "The proposed authority would be free to recommend fares and freight rates. It would rationalise the entire fare structure for the railways. It would be a big transformational change for the organisation. We will keep rationalising fare as per the market demand," <keyword id="19179" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="prabhu">Prabhu</keyword> recently told ET.

A farewell to subsidies: Railways
to set up an independent agency to look after fares

Indian markets brushed aside the tepid Railway Budget presented by Minister Suresh Prabhu and continued their downward trajectory as analysts were unable to find anything bullish for stocks at first glance. 
 
The Nifty crashed below the crucial 7,000-point support in afternoon trade and quoted at 6,976, down 41 points. The end of the monthly expiry of derivatives contracts also put intense pressure on stocks. 
 
Analysts said the budget's targets looked ambitious against the backdrop of meagre revenue picture of the Railways. 
 
Meanwhile, Prabhu told Parliament the Railways had planned for the following goals in the year to March 2017: 
 
* Operating Ratio of 92 percent. 
* Capacity expansion plan of 1.21 lakh crore rupees. 
* Life Insurance Corp to invest 1.5 lakh crore rupees in Railways over 5 years. 
* Track electrification of 2,000 km. 
* To set up 2 locomotive factories with an order book of 40,000 crore rupees. 
* Two new freight corridors to be set up 
* To lay more emphasis on existing corridors being constructed. 
* Announced 44 new projects 
* Prabhu remained quiet on a possible hike in passenger fares. 
 
Stocks of companies dealing with the Railways across its spectrum fell sharply. Wagon makers Titagarh, Kalindee and Tex Rail dropped 5 percent each. Electrical equipment makers Siemens and BEML edged lower. Railway Infrastructure providers GMR Infra and Lanco Infratech slipped in trade as well. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

Railway stocks crash after budget

Suresh Prabhu, the railway minister, in his second rail budget drew out an ambitious plan to overhaul the entire railway system. However, there was one glaring problem in the entire agenda. 
 
While there was a lot of talk about investment, there wasn’t a clear cut path on how to raise the revenues to fund this expenditure. 
 
While Prabhu said he would invest Rs 1.21 lakh crore in the current fiscal for a number of revamping purposes such as electrification of lines, three new trains, advanced coaches, new bio toilets, wi-fi services in collaboration with Google, catering services, National Academy of Indian Railways, more screens, which also includes borrowing Rs 20,000 crore, there wasn’t a clear roadmap of funding the expenditure. 
 
While he has kept away from fare hikes, what he has failed to do also is set out a clear path from increase in revenues from freight traffic. 
This budget has been all about creating and bolstering the current infrastructure without a fixed plan on how the investment will be divided on each of these expenditure areas. 
 
What is has instead taken on himself is increased expenditure from all quarters, including electrification, track laying, as well as job creation. 
While an increased impetus on creating more jobs is definitely welcome, what will become a big cause of concern from him is paying these increased number of employees. 
 
He made a brave attempt in revamping entire system of through his new approaches- restructure, re-organise and rejuvenate, what one really needs to think hard about is without any new sources of revenue generation, this could end up being completely being unviable. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

The Unviable Budget

As you read this article, the Railway Minister <keyword id="6356597" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Suresh-Prabhu">Suresh Prabhu</keyword> is busy presenting the rail budget of 2016. Here are 10 numbers for you to understand the rail budget better. 
 1) <keyword id="6355455" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Railways">Indian railways</keyword> carry 23 million passengers every day. The number of trains, you ask, is 21,000 passenger and freight trains, connecting over 7,000 stations pan India. 
 
2) The number of people employed by railways is 13.1 lakh, which makes it the country's single biggest employer. 
 
3) The average number of kilometers added per year to rail route since independence is 200 km. 
 
4) The amount railways wants to spend in five years for its modernization of its infrastructure is Rs. 8.5 lakh crore. 
 
5) The contribution of freight in railways earnings is a whopping 67%, while passenger fares contribute a mere 26%. 
 
6) The amount of money railways needs to implement the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission for its employees and pensioners is, hold your breath, Rs. 28,450 crore. 
 
7) The railways is likely to get Rs. 40,000 crore from the central government as budgetary support. 
 
8) Railways is targeting for 88.5% operating ratio for 2015-16 fiscal year, which means that the railways wants to spend 88.5 paise for each rupee of revenue. 
 
9) The amount of losses railways is likely to face this year on subsidizing passenger fares is Rs. 30,000 crore. 
 
10) The amount that railways is likely to commit for capital expenditure this year is Rs. 1.20 lakh crore, as opposed to Rs. 1 lakh crore last year.

Railway Budget 2016: The 10 numbers that matter the most

Facing a decline in its earnings, the <keyword id="6360676" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Railways">Railways</keyword> is likely to introduce the dynamic fare system in <keyword id="3260042" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Humsafar-Express">Humsafar Express</keyword> trains, a special class service comprising only AC-3 coaches with many added facilities, to perk up revenue, according to a news agency report. 
 Equipped with coffee/tea/soup vending machine, hot and refrigerated pantry and other facilities in each cabin, the first <keyword id="6399786" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Humsafar">Humsafar</keyword> <keyword id="6413405" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="express">Express</keyword> is slated to be launched between New Delhi and <keyword id="43253" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gorakhpur">Gorakhpur</keyword> early next month. 
 
The train was scheduled to be flagged off this month, but it was delayed owing to various reasons, including the recent train accident in Kanpur. 
 "Manufacturing cost of these coaches with modern facilities is high...so there has to be special fares for these services which will be higher than that of regular trains," a senior <keyword id="54441" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Railway-ministry">Railway Ministry</keyword> official said. 
 Railway Minister <keyword id="6356597" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Suresh-Prabhu">Suresh Prabhu</keyword> had announced during the presentation of <keyword id="4183143" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rail-Budget">Rail Budget</keyword> 2016-17 that there will be seven Humsafar Express trains for inter-city overnight journey, with many additional facilities which are otherwise not available in normal AC-3 coaches. 
 
"The modalities of fare structure are being finalised. We examined several options to fix the fare considering the high expenditure incurred on it. One option was to fix the fare at 20 to 30 per cent higher than the regular AC-3 fares. The other was dynamic pricing," he said. 
 
"For Humsafar, the pricing will be dynamic as there will be provision for lower fare in case of vacant berths at the time of preparation of reservation chart," he said. 
 
In dynamic pricing, the fare goes up with demand and comes down if there is lack of demand. 
 
"We are working out details to have a cap on maximum fare and also for a minimum base fare," he added. 
 
CCTV, GPS-based passenger information system, fire and smoke detection and suppression system, mobile and laptop charging points with every berth are some of the features on Humsafar trains. 
 Besides, Humsafar will have improved aesthetics with new interior and exterior colour scheme presenting a futuristic look with the use of vinyl sheets similar to <keyword id="55491" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharaja-Express">Maharaja Express</keyword> coaches. It will also have integrated braille displays. 
 
Indian Railways has introduced dynamic surge fares on Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains from September 9 which has resulted in additional earnings of more than Rs 50 crore till October this year. 
 
The Railways' earnings by the end of September have declined by Rs 3,208.51 crore as compared to September last year. The Railways earned Rs 79,475.42 crore up to September 2016 as against Rs 76,268.91 crore for the corresponding period last year, a decline of 4.04 per cent.

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