News

Updated : Feb 26, 2013

Rail budget: Bansal fails to 'create a stir'

Unlike his predecessors Lalu Prasad or Mamata Banerjee, Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal failed to lighten up the mood of the fellow parliamentarians during his budget speech. The opposition members also appeared to run out of ideas while attacking his proposals.

Union Railways Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal leaving his office to present the Rail Budget 2013-14 in the Lok Sabha on February 26, 2013.

Updated : Feb 26, 2013

'Not a rail budget but Rae Bareli budget'

The Opposition on Tuesday slammed the Rail Budget for increasing the burden on the common man, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) terming it as "pedestrian" and "discriminatory" while Left said it does not give any hope on railways' future.

Updated : Feb 26, 2013

Freight rates hiked by 5.8%, passenger charges also up

Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal has proposed to implement a fuel adjustment component on freight tariff from 1 April, 2013.

Updated : Feb 26, 2013

Railways to introduce 67 express trains

In the rail budget, Railway Minister proposed the introduction of 67 new express trains and 26 new passenger trains. He also said that 22 new lines would be taken up in 2013-14.

Updated : Feb 26, 2013

Superfast, Tatkal charges to go up

Though the Railway Minister did not announce any hike in passenger fees, he said that the reservation fee for tatkal services and superfast trains would go up.

Updated : Feb 26, 2013

Mumbai suburban trains to get AC coaches

Presenting the rail budget, Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said that Mumbai suburban trains will get AC coaches. He also proposed to introduce 67 new express trains.

Updated : Feb 26, 2013

Rail Budget 2013: Fare hike likely, expect passenger-friendly steps

With a hard look at finances, Union Rail Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal is expected to go in for a fare hike through the back-door, taking refuge behind 'surcharges on tickets'.

Updated : Feb 26, 2013

Bansal keeps rail fare unchanged

Providing some relief to the general public reeling under the impact of high inflation, Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal did not announce any fare hike in his first rail budget.

Updated : Feb 26, 2013

Railways to fill up 1.51 lakh vacancies

Presenting his first rail budget, Bansal said the Railways has joined the 1 billion tonne freight club and by end of 2013-14, 1,500 km of contracts to be awarded for two dedicated rail corridors.

Updated : Feb 26, 2013

SMS alert service for rail passengers soon

Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said an SMS alert service will be rolled out soon to intimate passengers about reservation status.

Updated : Feb 26, 2013

Free Wi-Fi to be provided in select trains

Presenting his first rail budget, Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal announced a number of measures to improve passenger amenities.

Updated : Feb 25, 2013

Rail Budget should focus on safety, modernisation: Assocham

Industry body Assocham is seeking a railway budget focussed on safety and modernisation.

Updated : Feb 25, 2013

Rail Budget 2013: It's Punjab's turn now, Mr Bansal

Pawan Kumar Bansal is the first full-time railway minister from north west India in the last 45 years and both Punjab and Haryana are hoping to get favourable treatment. Full coverage of Rail Budget 2013

Updated : Feb 25, 2013

Railways will introduce helpline for women: Pawan Kumar Bansal

A day ahead of presenting the rail budget, Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said the Railways will soon introduce a 24X7 helpline for women that will be tracked "on real-time basis".

Updated : Feb 25, 2013

Rail Budget 2013: Will Bansal bite the bullet on fare hike?

Railways has come under fresh pressure to further hike passenger fares, at least in a small way, and revise freight rate in the wake of virtual decontrol of diesel price.

Updated : Feb 22, 2013

Rail Budget 2013: Railways to launch 100 trains, including AC double deckers

The railways is planning to introduce about 100 trains, including AC double deckers, new passenger services and extension of services to cater to the demands of various states in Rail Budget 2013-14.

Updated : Feb 22, 2013

Rail Budget 2013: Minor revision of freight rate on the cards

The railways is mulling a marginal hike in freight rate in Rail Budget 2013-14 with a view to easing the additional pressure on the national transporter due to diesel price increase.

Updated : Feb 22, 2013

Railways to eliminate 902 level crossing, announcement likely in Rail Budget 2013

The Railways is all set to eliminate 902 level crossings on an over 3,000 km-long-rail line networking across the country. The concrete plan of action is likely to be part of the Rail Budget 2013-14.

Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal will present his maiden Rail Budget on February 26

Updated : Feb 22, 2013

Railway minister meets Sonia Gandhi ahead of Budget session

Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal on Monday met Congress President Sonia Gandhi ahead of Parliament session beginning from February 21.

Updated : Feb 22, 2013

Union Budget 2013-14: Assocham asks for further hike in railway fares

Industry body Assocham asked the government to further raise the rail passenger fares of to finance the huge investments required for modernisation and safety of Indian Railways.

Updated : Feb 22, 2013

Railways earnings up by 20% in Apr-Jan

Indian Railways has earned Rs 1,01,223.95 crore during April 2012 to January 2013 as against Rs 84,083.74 crore during the same period last year, registering an increase of 20.38 per cent.