Recreation of Indian Railways: Key Highlights of Rail Budget 2020
It’s 2020 and a high-time to get familiar with the budgetary sessions in the parliament. Along with the general budget; Indians also have higher expectations from the Railway budget. Since 2017, the General budget and rail budget will be merged and announced together. Both the budget was introduced on February 1st. The Government has emphasized on increasing railway facilities that was conspicuously visible. An attempt has been made to give the Indian Railways a new look under the Railway Budget 2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi sees Indian Railways as a huge platform for the economic development. The Modi Government is serious about the infrastructure of Indian Railways and through the budget focused on running more high-speed trains in India. Major steps have been taken to expand and modernize the railway in this General Budget 2020.
Key points of Railways in today General Budget 2020:
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the general budget on Saturday. The Finance Minister said in the budget to run Kisan Rail through Public Private Partnership (PPP). The Finance Minister said that this will make the transportation of cold supply chains easier. She expressed that soon the perishable items will be saved from getting destroyed and farmers will be able to transport goods rapidly from one place to another through railways. She further stated that refrigerated parcel vans would be installed in selected Mail/Express trains. Apart from this, cargo vans will also be installed in freight trains. For this purpose a National Infrastructure Fund of 100 Lakh crores will be created.
Apart from this, Wi-Fi has been commissioned at 550 railway stations. He said that our government electrified 27000 km of track. Apart from this, he informed about the provision of Rs. 22 thousand crores in the budget for power energy. Also, the national gas grid will be introduced in the country. In addition, she said that there is a plan by the Government of India to connect famous destinations through more trains like Tejas.
Introduction of more Tejas Trains: The Highlight of Rail Budget 2020
Indian Railways is also considering providing special facilities to passengers traveling through Tejas Trains. Till now, the passenger traveling in the train has to go to the station with his own luggage, but in Tejas you will be given special facility for your luggage. Under this, if you have booked the ticket and the ticket is confirmed, then the railway will pick your luggage from the residence and deliver it to your seat. Similarly, on arrival of the train it will be the prime responsibility of the railway to deliver your luggage from the station to your home. This facility will be available at a very nominal fee.
Key Highlights of Railways In General Budget 2020
- Will run more high-speed train between Mumbai-Ahmadabad route
- Solar power centers to be built on vacant railway land
- New trains like Tejas will be connected to famous tourist destinations
- 100 Lakh crore National Infrastructure Fund to be created
- Wi-Fi turned on at 550 railway station
- Electrification of 27000 km of track
- Provision of 22 thousand crores in the budget for developing power energy
- National gas grid will be launched
- Four stations will go through redevelopment phase
- 150 trains will start via public-private partnership.
- The 148 km Bangalore suburban train system is proposed.
According to sources the Railways sought budgetary support of around Rs 1 lakh crore from the Finance Ministry, but the Ministry of Finance can give budgetary support to Railways from Rs 75,000 crore to Rs 80,000 crore.