Presenting the 'interim' budget, Piyush Goyal, would probably be most excited to read out the rail budget part. The railways minister, who has given the charge of finance ministry in the absence of Arun Jaitley, have lately been excited about the 'turn around' in the Indian Railways.
For one, Goyal is sure to highlight the improved timeliness of Indian Railways citing the success of Mission Railway Electrification and rollout of an electronic train arrival/departure time recording system across stations.
But the highlight of the railways budget is likely to be about presenting a new face of Indian Railways—faster, safer and full of new age utilities on wheels. Last year, Arun Jaitley had allocated Rs 1.48 lakh crore for the various infrastructure projects of the railways.
With respect to most of the projects, like track doubling, modernisation and electrification, the allocation sought this year could go up to Rs 1.74 lakh crore, railway ministry sources said. Goyal is also likely to announce over four lakh new railway jobs, that would include 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker higher caste candidates, for the first time.
The Train 18, now rechristened as 'Vande Bharat Express', is an indigenous semi-superfast train that is almost ready to run on its first designated route between Delhi and Allahabad very soon. Two more such trains are being readied and their routes are likely to be announced in the budget.
The bullet train project is also going at a fast pace, as Japanese railways authorities are working with the Indian Railways' National High-Speed Rail Corporation, providing their active assistance for a “Made in India” version of their Shinkansen bullet train.
The high-speed rail corridors on the West and East coast are also on the works. After eliminating 3,478 unmanned level crossings across the country, the railways is now likely to earmark more funds for laying its focus on a bridge management system.
There are several thousand aged railway bridges which had drawn the attention of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament earlier. A special focus is likely to be given in the budget for safety-related spending to make Indian Railways safer.
Goyal had stepped in as railways minister after a spate of railway accidents led to the resignation of former minister Suresh Prabhu in 2017, after taking moral responsibility for the accidents.
As railways minister, Goyal had given a sincere focus on improving safety on tracks, by improving track slippers, fish plates and fittings; as well as on trains by fitting them with improved braking systems.
A number of high-speed corridors are also nearing completion and more allocations are likely to be earmarked for them. A train protection warning system, GPS-enabled train track system, track maintenance with advanced machinery etc, are likely to be announced to highlight the Indian Railways safety focus in the budget.
Improving passenger utility and bringing them at par with air travel, yet cheaper, could also be highlighted in the budget, to win back passengers on trains. Other than a facelift for more than 600 stations, offering Wi-Fi in all and reconstructing them to make them suitable for physically challenged is likely to be announced.
Railway coaches are also being improved by the Indian Railways already. A larger push for the Swarn Mission project of Indian Railways is also likely to be provided in the budget, making it faster to replace ageing railway coaches with safer and modern ones, that offer smoother rides.
The railways have always been a major focal point for the Narendra Modi government, and this budget a few splashes are expected from the rail budget. One hopes the measures announced can reverse the waning popularity and fortunes of the Indian Railways.
