11 areas Rail Budget 2015 laid emphasis on

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu presented his first Railway Budget on February 26, 2015, in which he announced a slew of reforms and measures to upgrade the quality of service in the Railways. He also put forth his agenda of revamping the sector by announcing huge amount of investment and bringing Indian railways to the global standards.

Check out the eleven key announcements he made in his 66-minute speech.

Quality of life in Journeys

The minister proposed setting up of plants to convert waste into energy.

Also, 17,000 toilets in railway coaches will be replaced by bio-toilets.

Quality of life in Journeys

The budget proposed the facility of online booking of retiring rooms and wheelchairs in select stations.

All India 24/7 helpline number 138 will also be launched soon.

Station redevelopment

The Budget proposed open bid for interested parties for station redevelopment.

Satellite terminals, aimed to decongest cities and provide services to people in suburbs, will also be developed.

Capacity augmentation

Rail Budget proposed 84 per cent higher capital allottment for commissioning 1200 kms at Rs 8686 crore.

Safety

Five-year safety plan to be developed to enhance safety in trains.

Technology upgradation

The Budget proposed setting up of innovation council 'Kayakalp' to promote technology development and manufacturing.

Energy and sustainability

Rail Budget 2015 proposed setting up of environment directorate for focus on environment management.

Partnerships for development

PPP (Public Private Partnership) cell in railway ministry to be made result-oriented.

Improvement to management process and systems

The Budget proposed improvement in management process to make things function smoothly.

Resource mobilisation

On resource mobilization plan, the Budget proposed to tap long term funds like insurance and pension funds to finance remunerative projects.