Presenting the Railway Budget for 2010-11 in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said that it is time for private partnership in Indian Railways, but said that the railways will not be privatised.
She said that clearance to private investment will be provided in 100 days to speed up projects.
Banerjee appealed to business houses to join hands for building partnership with Railways.
Presenting the Railway Budget she said a special task force will be set up for early clearance of projects.
She said that 17 new trains will be flagged off within 7 months.
She also announced some sops for women and minority communities.
She proposed 1,000 km of new rail lines in a year.
Security for women passengers to be increased, she assured.
The railway minister said that double-decker trains will be introduced.
She also emphasized that Railways must develop new business models.
RFID technology to be used for freight transport, she said.
Ticket counters at district headquarters and village panchayats will be set up.
She said Rs 1300 crore for passenger amenities will be allotted.
She also said that construction of multi-level parking through PPP model will be taken up.
Railway exams can be taken in regional languages, she said. English, Hindi, Urdu will be used for Railway entrance exams.
Plan to raise Rs 10,000-20,000 crore by the next fiscal.
Will withdraw examination fees for backward classes and women.
117 of 120 new trains for current fiscal to be flagged off.
To come out with a 10-year plan called 'Vision 2020', Mamata said.
Larger section of population to be connected by rail, she said.
She also said that railways are looking at innovative ways for financing projects.
More soon. . .
