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Text of Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee's speech

Security

Sir, the general perception is that the Railways are responsible for providing security to passengers and their belongings. But the fact remains that policing on the Railways is the responsibility of the State Governments. Unfortunately, the law and order situation in certain States has not been conducive to smooth working of rail operations.

Railways have now commenced a process of streamlining the functioning of RPF to make it more effective. The measures taken include modernisation of communications, security gadgets and weaponry, provision of adequate transportation, computerisation, upgrading of training facilities etc.

Sir, the House is aware that I had setup a High Level Task Force on security on Indian Railways. The Task Force has recently submitted their report, which is under examination. Sir, the solution lies in either the State Governments becoming proactive in improving policing on railway systems. Alternatively, Sir, I seek the guidance of this House on how to grant more powers within the framework of the Constitution to RPF to provide adequate security cover to rail users.

FREIGHT : New Initiatives

Sir, freight revenue constitutes two-thirds of our total revenues. In order to regain the freight market share which Railways have lost in recent decades and to take it to the level of 50% in the current decade, I propose to initiate various measures in the next year. Some of the major steps proposed to be taken are :-

A comprehensive delegation of powers to the Zonal and Divisional Railways has been undertaken in order to sharpen our interface with the customers. General Managers have been authorised to devise appropriate marketing strategies at local level to capture additional freight traffic.

A 'Congested Route Development Charge' for those routes on Indian Railways which have become heavily saturated is being introduced to enable Indian Railways to plan traffic facility works to remove the bottlenecks.

Volume Discount Scheme is being continued for the third consecutive year.

Special lumpsum rates for movement in Merry-Go-Round (MGR) circuits over short stretches have been developed for attracting bulk movement of coal and minerals at pit-head Power Houses/Mines. This package will target short-lead bulk traffic for rail movement.

Roll-on-Roll-off (RORO) packages which had been experimented on the Konkan Railway are now being extended to Ahmedabad-Nabha and Chennai-Sankrail (Kolkata) circuits.

Surplus railway land at stations and more than 1,500 unutilised Goods Sheds at roadside stations are being offered for development of warehousing capacity and, thereby generate additional traffic on the railways on the one hand and supplement revenues on the other.

We want to modernise our freight operations by using the state of the art technology for real time monitoring. In this direction, project for computerised monitoring of Freight Operations (FOIS) is expected to cover the entire network of Indian Railways by June 2001.

Passenger Amenities

I plan to give a major thrust to improvement in the passenger amenities at the Stations. I am happy to announce that the outlay for Passenger Amenities will be further increased by 39% over the revised estimate to cover many new areas of improvement. Following steps are being initiated for this purpose:-

• Ticket refunds are being fully computerised on all zonal Railways.
• Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are being installed at various important stations and will be later used for issue of tickets also.
• For providing quicker information to public, on-line train running position will be available through Cable TV / Internet and on Cellular Phones by connecting National Train Enquiry System to these systems.
• To reduce congestion on ticket counters, proposal to use internet kiosks for ticket retailing is under consideration.
• Computerised information on reservation availability status and train movement status will be available on all A class stations.
• In our Customer Care Institute, various training programmes have been initiated to train the front-line staff for better customer service.
• Top priority would be accorded to provision of drinking water, platform shelters, increasing the length of the platform to accommodate longest train, raising the platform heights and ensure adequate seating arrangements.
• To improve sanitation at stations, a large number of 'Pay and Use' toilets will be provided and mechanised cleaning will be undertaken.
• We have undertaken a large-scale exercise in modernisation of customer service by bringing up more and more stations as model stations. 210 stations have already been selected. I now propose to develop another 74 stations as model stations in the next year.
• Sir, as a major step to provide access to computerised reservation facility, I have decided to include another 71 locations throughout the country within the ambit of computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS). Hon'ble Members are aware that PRS facility is already available at 670 locations in the country.
• In order to improve the quality of service in long distance trains and to provide better amenities to the travelling public, certain amenities on the lines of Rajdhani Express trains have been introduced on 30 trains.

Catering Services

Railways have formulated a New Catering Policy with a view to introducing a transparent system of award of licences through competitive bidding in case of major catering units. The policy also provides for 25% reservation at the discretion of the General Managers, to the various disadvantaged categories in the allotment of catering licences of small catering units.

Indian Railways have initiated a number of steps to expand the scope of catering services both at stations and in trains.

Health

Sir, I am happy to announce that to facilitate prompt medical attention to the needy passengers, a computerised database containing the locations and details of non-railway medical facilities along the railway tracks throughout the country have already been compiled. This information is available on Railnet.

In pursuance of my budget speech of 2000-01, first aid boxes with wider range of medicines were provided in model stations and long distance trains. The training of front line staff is continuing.

It is proposed to expand the facilities and modernise the Railway Hospitals to provide cost effective high quality care to the Railway employees in Jagjivan Ram Hospital, Mumbai, Divisional Hospital, Jhansi, Railway Hospital, Perambur and Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital, Mumbai.

In order to provide better indoor medical facilities to the Metro Railway employees at Kolkata, one 30-bedded hospital is proposed to be set up at their Tollygunge outdoor clinic.

Tourism

Sir, I have given special attention to promote rail tourism. In my Budget speech last year, I had announced that a new "Palace on Wheels" type of train would be introduced between Maharashtra and Goa touching several places of tourist interest, as a joint effort between the Railways and the Government of Maharashtra. I am happy to inform the House that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Railways and the Government of Maharashtra recently. All other arrangements to ensure the introduction of the train will be firmed up shortly.

I am also happy to announce that another proposal to run a tourist train for the pilgrimage tourism on Secunderabad-Dharmavaram (Puttaparthy)-Tirupati-Guntur-Nadikude-Secunderabad circuit in Andhra Pradesh is being considered. Andhra Pradesh Government has also proposed a Palace-on-Wheels type of train for which modalities are being discussed.

Sir, I am also happy to announce that the Government of Karnataka has proposed to jointly run a 'Palace-on-Wheel' type of train on 'Bangalore-Hospet-Hubli-Goa-Mangalore-Hassan-Mysore-Bangalore circuit. Modalities in this regard are being worked out.

Orissa Government has sent a proposal for running a steam safari train on a route attractive for local tourism. Modalities in this regard are being worked out. Railways will welcome such proposals of tourism interest from any other State Government.

The newly incorporated Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has taken up a few important tasks, which are expected to facilitate tourism in a big way. The "Mata Vaishno Devi" package launched in November 2000 has been very popular with pilgrim tourists.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has been recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This greatly adds to the commitment of the Railways to maintain and preserve this unique piece of engineering skill for posterity. It is proposed to revamp and upgrade the infrastructure. We plan to run specially designed tourist packages in this area under the aegis of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation.

Preserving Railways' history through the institutions of regional rail museums has been an important activity of Railways. Rail Museum for southern region is going to be completed shortly. Similarly, I am happy to announce that new Regional Rail Museums will be set up at Varanasi and at Malda on the eastern region.

Relief Measures

Sir, this year the country has witnessed a large number of natural calamities. Apart from the most recent and most devastating of them all i.e. earthquake in Gujarat, there have been floods in State of West Bengal, cyclonic rains in Andhra Pradesh and drought in Gujarat. As always, Railways have provided all possible assistance including free movement of fodder and water to various states in order to mitigate the sufferings. Railways have moved more than 300 rakes of fodder and around 20,000 wagons of water to the drought affected areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Orissa, free of charge.

As part of relief and rescue operations in Gujarat after the recent earthquake, 49 special trains were run to reach relief material and relatives to Gujarat and for evacuating the injured. Railways were the first to reach the interiors with a helping hand.

I am happy to inform the House that on behalf of the Railway family, a sum of Rs 15 cr has been contributed to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the victims of recent earthquake. Apart from this, various public sector undertakings of Railways have additionally contributed more than Rs. 3.58 cr.

Konkan Railway Corporation

Sir, I am glad to inform the House that the Konkan Railway Corporation has improved its operations and this year its earnings have increased by 30% over the previous year. However, the earnings of the Corporation are just sufficient to meet its operating expenses. I would like to reassure the House that the Ministry will continue to help the Corporation not only in meeting with its debt servicing obligations but also to increase its revenue generation and realise its full potential.

Metropolitan Transport Projects

I am happy to inform the House that doubling of Belapur-Panvel line has been commissioned for commuter traffic from April 2000. Fifth line between Santacruz and Andheri as part of 5^th line project between Santacruz and Borivali has also been commissioned. Work on balance portion between Andheri and Borivali is also progressing well and is expected to be completed within the next financial year. Work on automatic signaling system between Virar-Dahanu Road is also likely to be completed within this financial year thereby increasing the line capacity on this section. New line of Thane-Turbhe-Nerul/Vashi which will provide another commuter corridor in New Mumbai is also expected to be completed by March' 2002 if the land acquisition in Thane area is expedited by the state government. Projects of quadrupling of Borivali-Virar section and construction of 5^th and 6^th lines between Kurla and Thane are also progressing well.

Works on the projects for extension of Kolkata Metro Railway from Tollygunge to Garia, extension of Circular Railway from Princepghat to Majerhat and provision of connection with Circular Railway from Dum Dum to the airport as well as electrification of the existing Circular Railway from Tala to Princepghat are continuing. Dum Dum-Tala section on Circular Railway has already been electrified. Electrification of Ranaghat-Gede has also been completed and Ranaghat-Bongaon will be completed within this financial year. This will facilitate running of EMU services in these sections also. Electrification of Barasat-Hasanabad is also progressing satisfactorily.

I am further happy to announce that as an extension of Calcutta Circular Railway Project, a link is proposed to be established between Ultadanga and Rajarhat (Phase-I up to Lake Town) to connect Dum Dum Airport to Titagarh in the North and Dum Dum Airport to Garia in the south.

Hon'ble Members will be happy to know that the work of Phase II of Mass Rapid Transit System in Chennai from Tirumalai to Velacheri is progressing at a good pace. To ensure its timely completion requisite funds are being provided in the year 2001-02. Work on gauge conversion of Chennai Beach-Tambaram-Chengalpattu suburban section has also picked up speed and is progressing well.

Hon'ble Members will be happy to know that based on the proposal submitted by Government of Andhra Pradesh, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Government of Andhra Pradesh and Indian Railways for strengthening the existing suburban infrastructure and services in the city of Hyderabad and its suburbs for making certain sections in the city fit for commuter train operation.

Production Units

During 1999-2000, all the Production Units - Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi, Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, Diesel Component Works, Patiala and Wheel & Axle Plant, Bangalore - have achieved their targets. I am happy to inform the Hon'ble Members that Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala and Wheel & Axle Plant, Bangalore have received ISO-14001 Certification for 'Environmental Management Standards Systems'.

I am happy to inform the House that Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala also bagged the prestigious "Golden Peacock Environment Management" Award in June 2000. 27 Coaches of the state-of-the-art LHB design, are slated for indigenous production during 2001-02. RCF has bagged orders for export of 72 MG bogies to Vietnam National Railways. Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW), Varanasi have bagged order for 12 BG Diesel Locomotives from Bangladesh Railways and Sri Lanka Railways during the current year.

Sir, I am glad to inform the House that Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) has manufactured a new WAP - 7 locomotive named 'Navbharati', which can be used to haul 26 coach trains at a speed of 140 KM per hour. CLW is now attracting a large number of International enquiries. Delegations from Switzerland, Turkey and South Africa have visited CLW to explore the possibility of buying locomotives based on latest technology.

RDSO

The functioning of the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) is the pioneering R&D wing of the Indian Railways has been thoroughly reviewed in the current year in pursuance of my budget commitment. Several steps are being initiated to improve the performance of this organisation.

PUBLIC SECTOR UNDERTAKINGS

Hon'ble Members will be happy to know that the performance of the Public Sector Undertakings has been satisfactory during the year 1999-2000. In 1999-2000, IRCON International Ltd. had a turnover of Rs 538 cr and earned a net profit of Rs 47 cr. It paid a dividend of Rs 11.38 cr. Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) achieved the highest ever turnover of Rs 172 cr during the year 1999-2000, recording a net profit of Rs 16 cr and paid a dividend of Rs 3.20 cr. Container Corporation of India Ltd. (CONCOR) had a turnover of Rs 832 cr, earning a profit of Rs 178 cr and paid Rs 36 cr as dividend. Indian Railway Finance Corporation earned a net profit of Rs 301 cr. It mobilised a total of Rs 2,836 cr. from market in 1999-2000 to supplement the plan resources of Indian Railways. It paid a dividend of Rs 65 cr.

ANNUAL PLAN 2001-02

Sir, when I sat down to compile budget estimates for 2001-02, I was certain that there will be some growth in the Budgetary Support from the General Exchequer. I was also hopeful that to tide over the safety related requirements, a separate grant would be available. However, none of these materialised. But, Sir, I am happy to announce that even with all these constraints, we have been able to keep the Plan outlay for 2001-02 at Rs. 11,090 cr, which is 11% higher than the revised estimates of the current year. Capital support from the General Exchequer continues to be Rs. 3,540 cr, as in the current year. It is proposed to go in for market borrowings to the extent of Rs. 4,000 cr. The balance of Rs. 3,550 cr is being met through a combination of conventional sources and non-traditional sources of revenue. We are also relying on clearance of a portion of the Railways' dues from powerhouses. Traffic outstandings, a large part of which is powerhouse dues have touched a new height of Rs. 3,027 cr as on 31^st December, 2000. The target set for clearance in the coming year is Rs 750 cr. As part of this, we expect that outstanding dues of at least Rs. 500 cr from Badarpur Thermal Power Station would be realised by us in the next year, as promised by the then Power Minister last year.

Sir, in the current year, we had received a budgetary support of Rs. 3,540 cr which was about Rs. 1,000 cr higher than the year 1999-2000. Simultaneously, Government had also agreed for a dividend deferment of Rs. 1,500 cr, so that our net payout of dividend was reduced to only Rs. 615 cr. Next year, Sir, there has been no growth of Budgetary Support while the Railways will also have to pay Rs 1,352 cr to the General Exchequer by way of dividend, as the dividend deferral permitted is reduced to Rs 1,000 cr only.

Sir, while safety continues to be our core focus in Annual Plan 2001-02, I have also decided to give major thrust to completion of new line projects which are pending for long time. Safety is being further strengthened with the allocation for Track Renewals being enhanced from Rs. 1,633 cr in the Revised Estimates to Rs. 2,050 cr, marking an increase of 26%. In our continuing drive to improve user services, allocation for Passenger Amenities is going up to Rs. 200 cr marking an increase of 39% over the Revised Estimates for the current year.

Austerity is a major area engaging my concern. It would be recollected that in the previous year, austerity and economy drive had resulted in net saving of Rs. 850 cr. This year again, the target for savings through economy and austerity measures has been set at Rs.865 cr. I would like to assure the House that in the next year also, austerity and economy will receive high priority.

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