++ TRAFFIC RECEIPTS DURING 2008-09 INCREASE BY 11.4 % WHILE FREIGHT LOADING GREW @ 5%

++ SPECIAL TRAINS FOR PERISHABLE FARM PRODUCE, FACILITIES FOR TRANSPORTATION OF RURAL CRAFT

++ WORKS FOR 7 NEW LINES, GAUGE CONVERSION OF 17 LINES AND DOUBLING OF 13 LINES TO BE TAKEN UP

++ FASTER PARCEL SERVICES PROPOSED ON THREE ROUTS

++ TATKAL SCHEME TO BE MADE PASSENGER FRIENDLY

++ RAILWAY TICKETS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH POST OFFICES AND ‘MUSHKIL AASAAN’ MOBILE VANS

++ CONCESSION FOR PRESS PERSONS INCREASED TO 50%

++ MONTHLY TICKET OF RS. 25/- FOR UNORGANIZED SECTOR/POOR UNDER ‘IZZAT’ SCHEME

++ “ONLY LADIES’ EMU TRAINS AT DELHI, KOLKATA AND CHENNAI

++ ‘YUVA TRAINS’ FROM RURAL HINTERLAND TO METROS AT CONCESSIONAL FARE

++ 12 NEW POINT-TO-POINT ‘DURANTO’ TRAINS

++ 57 NEW TRAINS, EXTENSION OF 27 TRAINS AND INCREASE IN FREQUENCY OF 13 TRAINS AND AIR-CONDITIONED DOUBLE-DECKER TRAINS PROPOSED

++ 50 STATIONS TO BE UPGRADED TO WORLD CLASS STATIONS

++ LONG DISTANCE TRAINS TO HAVE ON-BOARD DOCTORS AND INFOTAINMENT SERVICES

++ HANDICAPPED AND AGED PERSONS TO HAVE MORE AMENITIES

++ SPECIAL TRAINS TO FERRY PERISHABLE AGRO PRODUCTS AND RURAL HANDICRAFTS

++ SPECIAL FUND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EAST RAILWAY

++ QUAZIGUND-ANANTNAG LINE TO BE COMPLETED BY NEXT MONTH

++ 6560 RAILWAY STAFF QUARTERS TO BE CONSTRUCTED AND GROUP ‘D’ EMPLOYEES TO GET SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THEIR GIRL CHILD

++ RAILWAYS TO COME OUT WITH WHILE PAPER ON FINANCIAL STATUS AND VISION-2020 DOCUMENT

++ Tatkal Scheme: both the advance booking time and minimum charge will be reduced.

++ Timely track renewal, modernization of signals and use of digital ultrasonic flaw detectors will be introduced for the safety of the passengers besides Integrated Security Scheme at 140 vulnerable and sensitive stations. Women RPF Squads, exclusively for women passengers, will also be introduced.

++ A new scheme “Izzat” for travel with dignity: Under this scheme the people in unorganized sector with monthly income upto Rs.1,500/- can avail concessional monthly season ticket of Rs.25/- for travel upto 100 k.m.

++ The existing student concession is to be extended to students of Madrasas and students in Kolkata will now have the MST facilities for Kolkata Metro also.

++ To provide relief to women passengers the Minister proposed ‘only ladies’ EMU trains in Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata suburban during rush hours.

++ Now the Press persons will get increased concession of 50% instead of existing 30% . Once in a year their spouse can also travel with 50% concession.

++ The Railway Minister announced 12 new point to point, non-stop ‘Duronto’ trains, 57 new train services, extension of 27 trains and increase in frequency of 13 trains. The Minister also proposed introduction of Air-conditioned double decker coaches for inter-city travel.

++ Fifty stations will be developed as world class stations and 375 stations as ‘Adarsh Stations’ with improved basic amenties. Multi functional complexes with shopping facilities, food stalls, budget hotels are to be constructed at 50 railway stations, which serve as centres of pilgrimage, tourist and industry.