eGovWatch: Wi-Fi facility at 400 stations, Digitised mapping of land announced in Rail Budget 2015

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu presented his maiden budget for Indian Railways in the Lok Sabha today.

Prabhu said that his ministry is also looking forward to promote eGovernance in Railways. “Good governance emerges out of participative governance, he said. Prabhu has proposed several IT and eGovernance initiatives in Rail Budget 2015.

Against the backdrop of talk of privatisation of railways, the Minister said Railways will continue to be a precious national asset and people of India will own railways always.

Suresh Prabhu announced Wi-Fi facility at 400 Railway Stations across the country. He said Digitised mapping of Rail land will be initiated to counter Encroachment

He also announced a 24/7 railway helpline to be available on real time basis. Passengers will be able to call this number even while on trains. “A mobile application to redress complaints is also being developed and a pilot project for this will begin in the Northern Railway from March 1,” he said.

Key Highlights of Rail Budget 2015

Open Wi-Fi would  be made available at 400 railway stations across the country

Digitised mapping of Rail land will be initiated to counter encroachment

Online booking of retiring rooms and wheelchairs on select stations

All-India 24/7 helpline number 138 to be launched

Toll free number 182 to be launched for women and safety issues

“Operation 5 minutes” and hot button for purchase of universal tickets

Innovation council called Kayakalp to promote technology development and manufacturing

Rs 8.56 lakh crore investment plan for the period 2015-2019

To increase daily passenger carrying capacity from 21 million to 30 million in 5 years

Increase track length by 20% to 1,38,000 kms over next 5 years

To increase freight carrying capacity from 1 billion to 1.5 billion tones in 5 years

Plant proposed to convert waste to energy

17,000 toilets in coaches to be replaced by bio-toilets

Toll free number 182 to be launched for women and safety issues

SMS alert service would be introduced to inform passengers about train arrival and departure

Mobile charging facility would be made available in all trains and stations

Rs 120 crore to equip major stations with lifts and escalators

Allotment for passenger amenities raised by 67%

Open bids for station development

84% rise in capital allotment to develop 1200 kms at Rs 8686 crore

Evaluation studies undertaken for bullet trains

Railway research centres to be set up in select universities

Introduction of bar coded/RFID for tracking of parcels and freight wagons

Upgradation of equipment for examination of tracks

To tap insurance and pension funds and also multi-lateral and bi-lateral funds

Development of unmanned audio and visual warning system at unmanned crossings with ISRO

Special training in soft skills for frontline staff

To set up full-fledged university in 2015-16

Setting up environment directorate for focus on environment management

1,000 MW solar plant with the help of MNRE