Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal has presented his maiden railway budget in the Parliament in which he has proposed to introduce no fewer than 26 new passenger trains during the current financial year. Additionally, there will be extension of 57 trains and increased frequency of 24 trains this year. Some of the highlights of rail budget are as this: Marginal increase in cancellation, reservation charges; 67 new express trains to be introduced; 27 passenger trains, 8 DEMUs; operating ratio expected to improve to 87.8 per cent in 2013-14 from 88.8 per cent in the current fiscal year; 5.2 per cent growth in passenger traffic expected in 2013-14; Railway hopes to end 2013-14 with a balance of Rs 12,506 crore; allocation of Rs 1,000 crore each made for railway land development authority and railway station development authority; Railways set to enter 1 billion ton freight club of China, Russia and US; new train Azadi Express to places linked with the freedom struggle to be introduced; fares to be concessional, common rail-bus ticket to be introduced for Katra-Vaishnodevi pilgrims, internet booking to be provided from 0030 hours to 2330 hours, internet booking to be strengthened with next-generation e-ticketing system to eliminate delays.
The Railway Budget has taken into special consideration the large increase of pilgrims to shrines and the need of providing more facilities to them. In the case of our State, the Railways Minister has made some special mention in the very second paragraph of the budget. He announced four new trains for Jammu including two for Katra, the base camp of holy Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine, where the train was expected to reach in next few months, extended route of one train and increased frequency of another. He also proposed electrification of railway tracks in Jammu and said he would pursue for more routes in Jammu and Kashmir including Bilaspur-Manali-Leh and Jammu-Poonch via Akhnoor. However, there has been a little disappointment among some sections on Rail Minister’s inability to provide rail link between Jammu and Chandigarh despite the fact that the minister belongs to Punjab. The student community and the people in need of medical assistance from PGI Chandigarh have felt the loss of not having been provided with connectivity on this line. Jammu Tawi- Barauni Express was being extended up to Bhagalpur while frequency of Kanpur-Jammu Tawi Express was proposed to be extended from one day a week to two days. Among new railway lines proposed to be completed in 2013-14 was Udhampur-Katra. The Railways Minister has proposed electrification of two railway sections in Jammu including Chakki Bank-Bharoli-Rawi and Budhi-Ujh-Jammu Yard and Udhampur-Manwal.
Mr. Bansal, in his budget speech, said he would pursue for approval of certain rail projects of national importance including Bilaspur-Manali-Leh and Jammu-Poonch via Akhnoor. With train set to reach holy town of Katra in the next few months after several hiccups including problems at a tunnel between Udhampur-Katra section, the Railways Ministry would explore feasibility of issuing ‘yatra slips’ to pilgrims traveling by rail at the time of booking of the railway ticket in coordination with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. This would mean that the pilgrims booking rail tickets for Katra would not require ‘yatra slips’ from the Shrine Board counter at Katra town provided that the proposal matured between the Railways and the SMVDSB’. This proposal could benefit a large number of pilgrims to the shrine who, otherwise have to scramble for the slips which causes them much embarrassment. It has to be remembered that the number of pilgrims to the holy shrine has shown steady increase and last year it crossed one crore. The number is likely to go up in years to come. As such the railways have to take into account how they would cope with this huge rush.
The Railways Minister had another significant announcement for Jammu and Kashmir in the rail budget-launching a multi-modal travel package with cooperation of Jammu and Kashmir Government enabling passengers to travel from Jammu through Udhampur, Qazigund to Srinagar and Baramulla on a common rail-bus ticket. This is one way how the tourist industry in the State can be strengthened. Once the rail link between Jammu and Baramulla is established, there is every possibility of a huge increase in the number of tourists to the valley both from within the country and from foreign countries.
But the most exciting news for the people of the State brought by the Railways Minister is his commitment of providing rail link from Jammu to Poonch. The minister in his budget speech has hinted at the concern of the Railway Ministry for connectivity to strategic border towns. Poonch is one of the most strategic towns in the State and its rail connectivity will change the destiny of the entire region. We understand that the survey of this region has already been conducted by the railways and the blue prints are being prepared. Hopefully work on the project will begin very soon. He announced that completion of national project of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla and other such projects of strategic importance would be taken up on top priority. “Security of the nation is paramount and our brave soldiers make immense sacrifices to safeguard our frontiers. Providing need based rail connectivity to border areas is uppermost on Railways’ agenda. The national project of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla is a strategic importance and would be taken up on top priority”, Mr. Bansal said. While the people of the State are thankful to the Railways Minister, they hope that expansion, renovation and full scale improvement of Jammu railway station will also be undertaken on priority basis.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel