Rail Budget: Reforms & Governance

AN INTERACTION WITH SHRI MANOJ SINHA
HON'BLE MINISTER OF STATE, RAILWAYS

With the focus to become the prime mover of the economy in India, the Railway Budget 2015-16 seems to have laid the foundation of a long-term reforms for the railways. The Budget has also identified major thrust areas to drive the growth – from resource mobilisation for higher Investments, 800 km of gauge conversion, passenger amenities, safety, transparency and system improvement and sustainability.

While last mile connectivity projects continue to be accorded the highest priority, the Railways intend to fast track the sanctioned works on 7,000 kms of double/third/fourth lines and commission 1,200 km in 2015-16 at an investment of Rs 8,686 crore.

Additionally, the Railway Budget has also sanctioned 77 projects covering 9,400 km of doubling/tripling/quadrupling works along with their electrification at a total cost of Rs 96,182 crore. Overall, the size of the Plan Budget has gone up by 52 percent – up from Rs 65,798 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 1,00,011 crore in 2015-16....Read More