Railway Budget 2015-16: Live Updates

Indian Railways Minister, Suresh Prabhu is presenting the Railway Budget 2015-16. Here are live updates of the same.

1:15 pm

Railways to offer coaches in select destinations to travel agencies thru revenue-share model to boost tourism and job creation.

1:12 PM

Investment in Railways is imperative for environment sustainable development as fuel intensity of railways is much lower, says Suresh Prabhu.

1:10 pm

To impart soft skills to our staff we intend to impart regular training to our staff: Suresh Prabhu

1:07 pm

Rail Min: Encroachments on railway lands is a serious offence, digitized mapping of land has been initiated to counter this, says Minister.

1:06 pm

Business as usual of asking for budgetary support from Finance Ministry is neither sustainable nor necessary, says Suresh Prabhu.

1:10 pm

Process & procedures simplified to prevent delays; internal audit of Rly system.

1:05 pm

JV with major public sector companies for meeting requirements of new lines.

1:00 pm

To avert accidents, audio-Visual warnings at unmanned level crossings to be implemented.

12:57 pm

Malaviya Chair at IIT/BHU for Railway technology.

12:55 pm

Suresh Prabhu: Railway to move to paperless ticketing, to introduce hand held device for TTEs.

12:52 pm

Speedier Railway- 9 hi-speed corridors, high speed trains and make in India are opportunities, says Suresh Prabhu.

12:51 pm

Private freight terminals reviewing of WLS, SFTO, PFT schemes under process.

12:49 pm

Wi-Fi to be provided in 400 stations, says Suresh Prabhu.

12:47 pm

Rail Minister says that a 1330 per cent increase in electrification has been done over the previous year.

12:45 pm

For the debottle necking - traffic facility works, 100 per cent more funds allocated.

12:43 pm

Station to be redeveloped through simpler processes - faster redevelopment. Monitoring cell constituted.

12:40 pm

Railways to provide facility for online booking of wheelchair for senior citizens.

12:38 pm

Rail Minister says that folding ladders to be introduced to climb the upper berths in coaches.

12:37 pm

Modern facilities for disabled citizens, senior citizens, patients through IRCTC

12:35 pm

Unreserved ticket purchase made simpler through smart phones; debit cards, Rail Minister.

12:32 pm

Railways would tap the Nirbhaya fund for augmenting safer travel for women: Prabhu

12:30 pm

A 24X7 helpline "138" for customer complaints will start from March.

12:28 pm

Swachh Rail will be the driving force. Toilets need major improvement: Suresh Prabhu.

12:25 pm

Operating ratio of the Railways proposed at 88.5 per cent.

12:20 pm

Transforming Railways will require us to partner with key stakeholders. We will work with the States: Suresh Prabhu.

12:16 pm

Over 20,000 suggestions received from people. Those that are feasible are being considered. Some are being implemented in this Budget.

12:15 pm

Suresh Prabhu says that Chronic under-investment has led to poor development of the Indian Railways.

12:10 pm

Suresh Prabhu stands to present Rail Budget. Thanks PM Narendra Modi.

12:05 pm

Markets are trading marginally lower ahead of the Rail Budget. Sensex is down 75 points in trade and Nifty 27 points.

11:55 am

"We will keep in mind long term interest of Railways & interests of common passenger & try to balance both", Railway Budget.

11:45 am

Where will the money for Railways expansion come from. Is it from a sharp hike in freight rates or passenger rates? We will have to wait and watch?

11:35 am

The Rail Minister arrives in parliament, even as the Lok Sabha is again disrupted. Lok Sabha now adjourned for another 15 minutes.

11:30 am

Stocks catering to the railways have gained some ground on hopes that there would be renewed investments in the Railways.

11:17 am

Not good news ahead of the Rail Budget. Lok Sabha now stands adjourned till 11.30 am. Ruckus in Rajya Sabha.

11:00 am

Railway Minister, Suresh Prabhu leaves Residence for Rail Bhavan.

10:51 am

After the drubbing in Delhi it would be interesting to see if the NDA govt recommends fare hikes in the Railway Budget.

10:44 am

Markets are trading lower, with the Sensex currently down 75 points. Markets may take cues from the Railway Budget on the government's likely thrust on reforms.

10:33 am

Amounts allocated for safety would be keenly watched, as deaths at unmanned level crossings has been a matter of concern.

10:20 am

The key for Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu today would be to find the resources to push infra growth required for the railways.

Shares of companies providing services and products to the Railways are trading lower. Kalindee Rail, Texmaco, Stone India and Kernex were all trading lower.