Railway Budget 2011-12 Summary

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee presented the Railway Budget 2011-12 in the Lok Sabha on 25 February 2011. To raise money, the Railways was allowed for the first time, to issue tax-free bonds to the tune of Rs.10000 crore in the next financial year, while they will get a fresh budgetary support of Rs.20000 crore. The budget did not raise the passenger fares. A slew of new trains were proposed. The budget talked of new schemes for the employees and made suggestion to improve security quotient. Mamata Banerjee seized the opportunity to declare 2011-12 as the Year of Green Energy.

Summarising Railway Budget 2011-12

Keeping her promise of presenting a Common Man Budget, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that there will be no hike in passenger fares. Also she announced a reduction in E-booking charges. The booking charges are reduced by Rs 10 for AC and Rs 5 for non AC.

Rail Budget 2011-12 introduced a fleet of new trains on many routes of Indian railways. 9 new Duronto trains, 3 Shatabdis and 56 super Fast trains have been proposed in the budget. 2 AC Double Decker Trains in the Jaipur-Delhi and Ahmedabad-Mumbai routes have been proposed.

The union railways minister announced a new Super AC class in Indian railways to cater to the needs of corporate travellers. The initiative was incorporated in the budget to attracting passengers from higher traits of the society.

Mamta Banerjee introduced a new concept of Smart Card - Go India for long distance travel by Indian railways. The all new concept of introducing Smart Card is expected to benefit passengers travelling long distance by helping them to cut down their time and cost of buying multiple tickets.

Presenting the Rail Budget 2011-12, Mamta Banerjee announced special ounces for railway employees. The entire railway cadre will be restructured to ensure the promotion of employees. Scholarship schemes for children of railway employees were raised to Rs 1200. Banerjee also announced to induct 16000 ex-servicemen from March 2011.