HIGHLIGHTS OF RAILWAY BUDGET 2010-11

Passenger fares and freight rates left unchanged at a broader level except for some tinkering (lower service charges for passenger and lower freight on food grain and kerosene).

Strong emphasis on the public-private partnership (PPP) model with a new business model to be developed for meeting the huge funding requirement for improving the railway infrastructure. A special task force will be formed to ensure project clearance within 100 days and smooth execution of projects.
Golden Rail Corridor, a dedicated passenger route to be set up on the lines of the dedicated freight corridor. 

Significant emphasis on improvement of railway infrastructure, increasing network coverage and providing better amenities, though clarity on the timeline of investments and actual actionable measures are yet to be spelt out.

New production facilities planned under the PPP model including five new wagon factories, one rail axel factory and ten auto ancillary hubs.   

RAILWAY BUDGET SILENT ON ITS LAND ACQUISITION POLICY

Thesynergyonline Economic Bureau

NEW DELHI, FEB 24 :
THE Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has described Railway Budget proposals for 2010-11 as People and Industry-friendly since there is no increase in passenger and freight rates, service charges on AC fares slashed and commitments made to launch 17 new trains and Task Force to clear investment proposals for railways within 100 days.

In a statement, ASSOCHAM president, Dr. Swati Piramal, however, emphasized that Railway budget proposals are not very explicit as to how it's land can be suitably utilized through public-private partnership initiatives and generate resources for expansion and modernization of railways.

According to ASSOCHAM, Ms. Banerjee has lost yet another opportunity in failing to come out a detailed railway's modernization and upgradation programme by listing out her clear priorities, added Dr. Piramal pointing out that a provision of Rs.4411 crore has been made for laying new lines is a welcome step.

Announcement for setting up of National High Speed Rail Authority is a welcome proposal from both industry and people perspective. Ms. Banerjee proposal for 10 year plan for railway vision is a praiseworthy step. Plan to raise between Rs.10,000-Rs.20,000 crore by next fiscal for railway modernization is another welcome feature but as to how the money will be raised needs to be specified, said Dr. Piramal. Dr. Piramal also welcomed the proposal for running special train during Commonwealth Games 2010.
(editor@thesyerngyonline.com)