Railway Budget 2024: Focus on railway Safety; know what Railways got in the budget
Railway Budget: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav expressed gratitude to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for allocating Rs 2.62 lakh crore for Indian Railways in the Budget 2024–25. Rs 1.08 lakh crore of this huge budget has been specifically earmarked to boost railway safety.
Main Announcements of Railway Budget 2024
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made several important announcements for Railways in Budget 2024. This budget is the first budget of the third term of the Modi government and a total of Rs 2.62 lakh crore has been allocated for the Railways. The main objective of this allocation is to promote the safety of railways and take forward the Bullet Train projects.
Distribution of railway budget
A large part of the budget focuses on safety measures after recent rail accidents. The Rs 1.08 lakh crore allocated for safety will be used across multiple sectors, including the laying of new tracks, the repair of old tracks, and electrification. Additionally, there are also plans to convert the single track into a double track and computerize the signal system.
Along with making 2500 general coaches, the railways will also make 10 thousand additional general-class coaches. The works on incomplete bridges, tunnels, railway overbridges, and underbridges will also be completed expeditiously. All these works are aimed at securing and modernizing the railway infrastructure.
Emphasis on high-speed trains
Another major focus of the Railway Budget 2024 is to increase the number of high-speed trains. Under this, there is a plan to upgrade the Delhi-Mumbai railway track. Along with this, the number of Vande Bharat and other semi-high-speed trains will also be increased. The work on coach upgrading at Vande Bharat, including sleeper coaches, will progress rapidly.
These schemes were announced in the interim budget presented on February 1 and now important steps are being taken towards implementing them.
Thanks to the Railway Minister
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav has expressed gratitude to the finance minister for allocating the budget for Indian Railways. He said that Rs 2.62 lakh crore has been allocated in this budget, out of which Rs 1.08 lakh crore will be used to promote railway safety.
The railway minister also said that the demand for general travel on Indian railways is increasing rapidly. To meet this growing demand, in addition to 2,500 general coaches, 10,000 additional general coaches will also be manufactured in India.
Benefits of Railway Budget
This budget will not only strengthen the railway infrastructure but will also ensure the safety of passengers. Laying new tracks and repairing old tracks will make rail travel safer. The conversion of single tracks to double tracks and the computerization of signals will make railway operations more efficient.
The increase in the number of high-speed trains and coach upgrades at Vande Bharat will provide passengers with a fast and comfortable travel experience. Apart from this, an increase in the number of general coaches will also meet the general travel demand.
Conclusion
In the Railway Budget 2024, special emphasis has been laid on the safety and infrastructure of railways. This budget will not only make the railways safe but will also provide high-quality services to passengers. This budget is an important step for Indian Railways, which is a major effort towards making the country’s rail network modern and efficient.
Through this budget, the government has made it clear that strengthening the safety and infrastructure of the Railways is its priority. As a result of these initiatives, Indian Railways will see significant improvements in the coming years, resulting in a better and safer travel experience for passengers.
Senior Citizen Concession in Railway Budget 2024
Railway Budget 2024: Senior Citizen Concession
Special concessions for senior citizens have been announced in the Railway Budget 2024. In this budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, emphasis has been laid on making the travel of senior citizens more accessible and affordable. This step will not only make the travel of elderly passengers convenient but will also provide them with financial relief.
Concession Features
Under the Railway Budget 2024, senior citizens have been given special concessions on train tickets. Male senior citizens aged 60 years and older and female senior citizens aged 58 years and older will get up to a 50% discount on ticket booking. This concession will apply to all types of train services, be they express or normal trains.
Ways to make travel easier
Railways have also taken several other measures to make the travel of senior citizens more convenient. A special reservation quota has been arranged for elderly passengers so that they can be assured of the availability of seats at the time of travel. Apart from this, plans have also been made to increase facilities like wheelchairs and escalators at railway stations. All these measures are aimed at making the journey of elderly passengers simple and comfortable.
Use of Digital Technology
Railways have also simplified online ticket booking for senior citizens using digital technology. Elderly passengers will now have the facility to book tickets easily through the official website of the railways or a mobile application. Additionally, the concession will be automatically applied during ticket booking, eliminating the need for elderly passengers to go through any additional process.
Conclusion
The concessions and facilities made for senior citizens in the Railway Budget 2024 are a welcome step. With these concessions, the travel of elderly passengers will not only be cheaper, but their travel experience will also be pleasant and safe. This effort by the government is an important step towards providing respect and facilities to senior citizens. In the years to come, these concessions will make the journey of elderly passengers simpler and more enjoyable.