Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi has proposed an annual plan outlay (2012-13) of Rs Rs 60,100 crore for Railways, the higher ever, in his maiden budget presented in Parliament.
The gross budgetary support for Railways for 2012-13 Plan fixed at Rs 24,000 crore. Plan to modernise 19,000 km of railway tracks, which cater to 80 per cent of traffic, says Trivedi.
He proposes to set up Independent Railway Safety Authority as a statutory body. Indian Railways Stations Development Corp will redevelop stations and maintain them on pattern of airports. Railway investment in the 12th Plan to be Rs 7.35 lakh crore against Rs 1.92 lakh crore in the 11th Plan.
'All unmanned level crossings to be abolished in next five years,' says Railways Minister Dinesh Trivedi. Special Purpose Vehicle - Rail Road Grade Separation Corporation of India - to be set up for abolishing level crossings, Trivedi tells LS.
Railway Safety Plan for 12th Plan will be Rs 16,842 crore. There are 487 unfinished projects of new lines gauge conversion and new lines worth Rs one lakh crore: Trivedi.
Trivedi proposes to bring down operating ratio from 95 to 84.9 pc in 2012-13 and lower it to 74 pc by terminal year of 12th plan. The Logistics Corporation will be created for providing logistics solutions for rail users.