The rail budget 2016-17 presented to the Parliament today by the minister Suresh Prabhu was a big disappointment for Telugu states. It offered nothing to states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Two important things, the respective governments lobbying for ages, Vizag separate zone and Kazipet rail coach factory found no mention in the state.
Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu’s dream capital Amaravati failed to draw rail minister’s attention despite the fact the city is being planned as a world-class city. In his recent meeting with Suresh Prabhu, Naidu presented a list of about hundred rail projects for the state of Andhra Pradesh . The CM wanted rail connectivity for Amaravati with neighboring states on priority basis. There was no mention of the name of Amaravati in the budget speech of Suresh Prabhu. Similary many important issues are amiss in this year’s budget.
Highlights of the rail budget:
*No high speed rail offered to Andhra Pradesh, even though chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu speaks of World -class capital Amaravati. The only high speed rail corridor has gone to Mumbai-Ahmedabad section- two states represented rail minister Prabhu and Prime Minister Modi respectively. It will be taken up with the assistance from government of Japan.
* Though state requested the Railway minister to set up the Railway university at the World-class Amaravati, this has gone to Vadodara of Gurjarat, the home state of Prime Minister Modi.
* No reference to much talked about creation Vizag railway zone.
* No reference to Andhra Pradesh in the development of suburban sections . In this program, Indian Railways intend to partner with the State Governments of Gujarat, Telengana and Tamil Nadu for developing suburban sections in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Chennai, respectively by deploying innovative financing mechanisms.
* However Railway minister Suresh Prabhu promised a freight corridor connecting Vijayawada. He has proposed to take up the corridors: North-South connecting Delhi to Chennai, East-West connecting Kharagpur to Mumbai & East Coast connecting Kharagpur to Vijayawada.
*No new trains
*No train extensions
*No new rail lines
What is new in the budget
For the unreserved passenger –
*Antyodaya Express unreserved, superfast service.
* Deen Dayalu coaches – unreserved coaches with potable water and higher number of mobile charging points. For the reserved passenger
* Humsafar – fully air-conditioned third AC service with an optional service for meals
* Tejas – will showcase the future of train travel in India. Will operate at speeds of 130 kmph and above.Will offer onboard services such as entertainment, local cuisine, WiFi, etc. through one service provider for ensuring accountability and improved customer satisfaction Humsafar and Tejas to ensure cost recovery through tariff and non-tariff measures.
* UDAY – overnight double-decker, Utkrisht Double-Decker Air-conditioned Yatri· Express on the busiest routes, has the potential to increase carrying capacity by almost 40%
Ticketing: Sale of tickets through hand held terminals; e- ticketing facility to foreign debit/credit cards; bar coded tickets, scanners and access control on a pilot basis. Expansion of Vikalp – train on demand to provide choice of accommodation in specific trains to wait listed passengers. E-booking of tickets facility on the concessional passes available to journalists; facility of cancellation through the 139 helpline post verification using ‘One Time Password’ sent on registered phone number, to improve tatkaal services CCTV cameras on windows and periodic audit of PRS website.
Beautification of Tirupati Station
Pilgrimage centres: to take up on priority the provision of passenger amenities and· beautification on stations at pilgrimage centres including Ajmer, Amritsar, Bihar Sharif, Chengannur, Dwarka, Gaya, Haridwar, Mathura, Nagapattinam, Nanded, Nasik, Pali, Parasnath, Puri, Tirupati, Vailankanni, Varanasi and Vasco; also intend to run Aastha circuit trains to connect important pilgrim centres.
Telangana
The rail budget was equally disappointment for Telangana also. Medak TRS MP Prabhakar Reddy Expressed displeasure and said the allocations were meager- Rs 20 crore to Kothapalli-Manoharabad railway line and Rs 5 cr to Medak- Akkannapet line.
