Many challenges ahead on the track -II

New lines

Sir, the House is aware that Railways have a large shelf of new line projects costing about Rs 20,000 crore, of gauge conversion projects costing about Rs 9,100 crore, and of doubling projects amounting to Rs 3,300 crore which have been duly sanctioned by the Parliament over the last five decades and are awaiting completion.

On-going new lines, which have either been completed recently or would be completed before March 2001 are:

Puttaparthi-Penukonda section of Dharmavaram- Penukonda project.

Kashinagar-Kakdweep section of Lakshmikantapur- Namkhana project.

Kapadvanj-Modasa project.

Eklakhi-Gazol section of Eklakhi-Balurghat project.

Jaruri-Banspani section of Daitari-Banspani project.

Bargachia-Munshirhat section of Howrah-Amta project.

Tamluk-Bajkul section of Tamluk-Digha line.

The new lines targeted to be completed in 2001- 02 are:

Gazol-Buniadpur of Eklakhi-Balurghat project.

Dharmavaram-Penukonda, completing the Dharmavaram- Penukonda project.

Dewas-Maksi new line section.

Bajkul to Digha of Tamluk-Digha project.

Gauge conversion

The sections of which gauge conversion has either been completed or would be completed before March, 2001 are:

Nonera-Seoni section of Guna-Etawah project

Raxaul-Birganj section

Gandhidham-Bhuj section

During 2001-02, Railways plan to complete the gauge conversion of the following sections:

Seoni-Bhind

Amguri-Tuli

Makum-Dangri

Laxmanthirtha bridge

Gooty-Pendakallu

Dhrangadara-Kuda

Wankaner-Morbi

Doubling

During the current year about 200 km of doubling would be completed, while in the next financial year a target of 300 km has been proposed. Sir, keeping in view the critical need to augment line capacity in certain saturated sections, you will be happy to know that the following new doubling works are being included in the budget.

Ernakulam-Mulanturutti section on Ernakulam- Kottayam-Kayankulam line.

Bandel-Jirat section on Bandel-Katwa line.

Baruipur to Magraghat.

Harishchandrapur-Kumarganj section on Malda-Kumedpur line.

Gooty-Renigunta section-Doubling of remaining single line sections.

Sir, it gives me pleasure to inform the House that we have decided to extend the following works as part of some of the on- going projects.

* Extension of Sultanganj-Deogarh new line project with a new link from Banka to Barahat.

* Extension of BDR gauge conversion project by a new link from Bowai-Chandi to Khana to connect Midnapur, Bankura and Purulia.

* Extension of Mansi-Saharsa Gauge Conversion project up to Dauram-Madhepur.

* Gauge conversion from Krishnanagar- Shantipur as an extension to the sanctioned doubling from Kalinarayanpur to Krishnanagar.

* Extension of Fatua-Islampur-Dhaniawan- Biharsharif new railway line project to Barbhigha.

* Extension of sanctioned doubling project from Kalinarayanpur to Krishnanagar by providing a new link from Krishnanagar to Charatala on the Krishnagar-Karimpur.

* Extension to Rajkot Veraval GC project by taking up gauge conversion from Wansjalia to Jetalsar.

* Extension of Eklakhi-Balurghat project by a new link from Gazol to Itahar as Phase-I of Gazol-Raiganj.

* Extension of Rewari-Sadulpur gauge conversion project to Hissar.

* Extension of Kanpur-Mathura-Kasganj- Bareilly gauge conversion project to Lalkuan.

* Extension of Lumding-Badarpur-Silchar gauge conversion project from Badarpur to Baraigram.

* Extension of sanctioned GC from Ajmer- Chhitaurgarh-Udaipur project to Umra.

* New line from Banka-Bhitiah Road as extension to Sultanganj- Deogarh new line project.

Considering the long standing demand of the people of Murshidabad and the need for development in this area, I am happy to announce that restoration work of Nasipur (Azimganj) Jiaganj Railway line will be taken up during the year 2001-2002. Separately a survey work for construction of a bridge over Bhagirathi to connect these two will also be undertaken.

Restoration of Teesta Valley narrow gauge line from Sevok to Gillikhola has been a long standing demand of the people of Sikkim and North Bengal. I have also decided to take up the restoration of this important railway line during 2001-2002.

Another significant rail link needing urgent restoration is Mogra-Tarakeshwar line. This also has been a long standing demand of the people and accordingly, I have decided to start the work on its restoration in 2001-2002.

Sir, it would be recollected that in the last budget I had announced a new line project for facilitating better connectivity of North Eastern states. This New Moinaguri- Jogighopa line will be routed through Changrabandha to facilitate better communication links with neighbouring states.

Surveys

On the basis of requests received from the Honourable Members and State Governments, I have decided to take up several surveys during the next financial year. These are:

Bhagirathi Bridge to connect Nasipur and Jiaganj Railway line

Donakonda to Vedareva

Mysore to Mangalore via Madikere

Latur Road to Mudkhed

Ferozpur Cantt. to Taran Taran

Halem to Itanagar

Kharghoda to Santalpur

Bulb line at Shoranur

Rotegaon to Punthamba

Sahnewal to Ladowal

Madurai to Tuticorin

Vaikam to Vaikam Road

Kumbhakonam to Namakal via Jayakondam, Ariyadur, Perambdur and Thuraiyur

Shahganj to Amethi via Sultanpur

Kazipet to Nalgonda

Jiribam-Imphal

Jhajha to Giridih via Sonuchakai

Updating survey for Ernakulam-Punalur-Trivandrum

Jaypore-Malkangiri

Howrah-Sealdah 3rd line between Belangar-Bally and additional loop at Dumdum, Baranagar and Bally

Budge Budge to Uluberia including a rail-cum-road bridge.

2nd coaching terminal at Trivandrum

Byepass at Bandel and Naihati

Ranjitpura to Yeshwantnagar

Development of infrastructure in Kakinada area

Thanjavur to Chennai Egmore via Adiyalur

Gauge conversion surveys

Virudnagar to Manamadurai

Doubling surveys

Ujjain to Indore

Patratu Chandil via Barkhakana

Gooty-Renigunta section of remaining single line section

Electrification

In the current year, electrification of 425 route kilometres is envisaged and the following sections are planned to be completed before March 2001:

Sirhind-Nangaldam-Una

Ranaghat-Gede

Ranaghat-Bongaon

Some of the important routes to be completed in the next year are:

East Coast line from Visakhapatnam to Kharagpur. With this, the entire Calcutta-Chennai route will stand electrified.

Main line of Eastern Railway, (Sitarampur-Mughalsarai) providing alternative electrified route on Asansol-Mughalsarai section.

Udhna-Jalgaon section linking two important electrified main trunk routes of Delhi-Mumbai via. Western and Central Railways will be electrified.

Reforms and restructuring

Sir, If I may be permitted to use a Railway metaphor, I would say that the Indian railways are today standing at a junction station. One track takes them to reforms, revival and rejuvenation. The other track will lead them to a nowhere land of crisis and chaos. Sir, we must make the right choice, sooner, rather than later. We have already set in motion various reform measures. Efforts are underway to generate resources through non- traditional sources.

We recognise this task is not going to be easy at all and it cannot be done overnight as well. A system which remained largely unchanged during five decades will need some amount of time, continuity and perseverance with the full support of not only the Central Government but the State Governments as well. Sir, we also feel that in any reform exercise, our employees will be our strength. We feel that no reforms can be successful without full involvement of the people. I would like to assure this House that Railways shall not be privatised.

The House is aware that a Railways expert group was set up in 1998. The group has submitted an Interim Executive Summary of its report recently, which is under examination. The detailed report is awaited.

Sir, we all know that Railways urgently need modernisation. However, we need to select appropriate technology. We also have to find innovative means of funding this process of modernisation. I am happy to inform the House that I have set up an Advisory Committee under the Chairmanship of Mr Sam Pitroda for suggesting ways and means of initiating comprehensive modernisation of Indian Railways with the application of appropriate technologies.

International co-operation

In our continuing efforts to promote international co-operation among the neighbouring countries, I am happy to inform the House that the rail link between Petrapole in India and Benapole in Bangladesh has recently been restored and opened for goods traffic. This will pave the way for running of passenger services also.

Budget estimates

Sir, I shall now deal with the Budget Estimates for 2001-02.

A general recession has been observed in the economy since 1998- 99, as we all know. Consequently, the infrastructure sector has also shown a downward trend in the recent years. Despite this, Indian Railways have shown remarkable resilience and performed quite well for last two years in terms of freight loading etc. In 2001-02, Railways showed a moderate and somewhat subdued growth in freight traffic mainly due to slowing down of economy. It would be recollected that Railways had performed very well and had achieved a growth of 8.43 per cent in freight traffic in 1999-2000. In the current year, mainly due to improved supply of coal to powerhouses, the goods traffic to end January 2001, at 389.40 million is 4.98 per cent higher than the level achieved in the corresponding period of last year. The freight traffic target for the budget year 2001-02 has been fixed at 500 million tonnes, an increment of 25 million tonnes over the current year's target of 475 million tonnes.

In this context, I am happy to announce that to facilitate adequate availability of rolling stock for freight movement, for the second year in succession, wagon procurement target has been projected at the level of 23,000 for the next year. This will give further fillip to the wagon industry in general. For passenger traffic, nine per cent increase has been provided in keeping with the long-term growth in passenger traffic. With these projections, the goods earnings are assessed at Rs 24,735 crore and passenger earnings at Rs 11,387 crore.

Ordinary Working Expenses at Rs 30,190 crore provide for a minimal increase over the current year, resulting in a total variation of 8.53 per cent over the Revised Estimates, for 2000- 01. Appropriation to Pension Fund is placed at Rs 5,790 crore and Depreciation Reserve Fund has been provided at Rs 2,704 crore based upon the actual requirement for plan resources.

The total Working Expenses will, thus, amount to Rs 38,684 crore leading to Net Traffic Receipts of Rs 755 crore. Net Miscellaneous Receipts are estimated at Rs 928 crore. This also takes into account Rs 300 crore proposed to be received from General Revenues for Railway Safety Works. Thus, the Net Revenue works out to Rs 1,683 crore.

Sir, last year I had not increased the freight rates for essential commodities. This year also, I do not propose to increase the freight rates of essential commodities such as edible salt, grains and pulses, sugar, fruits and vegetables, urea, edible oils, kerosene and LPG. These commodities are used by every one and constitute a significant part of the housewives budget. I have no intention to upset the domestic budget and therefore I am exempting these commodities from any hike.

Sir, I am aware that an increase in freight rates has some direct or indirect effect on the economy. It must, however, be recognised that Railways are also being subjected to similar inflationary pressure. As was done in the previous year, the Railways will continue to absorb some part of the increase in the cost of inputs, but the circumstances demand that freight rates have to be adjusted by a small margin. As such I propose a nominal three per cent (three per cent) increase in rates of all commodities except those essential commodities mentioned before or those proposed to be charged differently as under. Keeping in view the request made by major industries, I have decided that freight rates for Coal (not meant for household consumption) and Iron & Steel (Division A, B, and C) is also proposed to be increased by only two per cent (two per cent).

Certain sections of the Railway network have become saturated, yet the demand on these sections is still growing. As is normal in the pricing policy in various transport sectors, I propose to charge a premium for carriage of traffic over these sections.

In view of the increase of seven per cent (seven per cent) in Parcel rate made in last budget, I propose to exempt Parcel and Luggage rates from any increase next year. This exemption will also be applicable to newspaper, magazines and medicines etc.

Sir, I am happy to announce that concessional MST (Monthly Season Ticket) scheme meant for the people below the poverty line which was approved last year will continue.

Sir, in the concessions granted to various categories of handicapped persons, there has been certain grievance from those who are visually handicapped or mentally handicapped. Sir, in order to ensure uniformity in availing the concessional facilities by all categories of handicapped persons, I am happy to announce that the visually handicapped and mentally handicapped persons shall also be entitled to the same benefits which are otherwise available to orthopaedically handicapped and paraplegic persons.

I would like to bring to your notice Sir, that despite there being no increase in passenger fares, the earnings from passenger traffic are poised to exceed the budgeted level. Till December, 2000 there has been an increase of 10 per cent (10 per cent) compared to the same period last year. I attribute this to various efforts being made by the Railways to augment passenger traffic and the general improvement in the services and amenities offered to the travelling public. I am hopeful that this buoyancy would continue in the coming year as well. I do not, therefore, propose to increase the passenger fares of any class or category of trains.

In the end, I wish to express my gratitude to the respected Prime Minister for his encouragement and support. My sincere thanks are also due to all the railwaymen for their hard work and dedication to duty, which has helped the Railways in achieving their task successfully. I am also thankful to the rail users whose cooperation we have been getting always.

Sir, with these words I commend the Railway Budget 2001-02 to the House.

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