For residents of Chennai, the second Railway Budget of the BJP government was disappointing, to say the least.
Lakhs of rail passengers who were waiting for announcements on Metro Rail, Monorail, and new train services were upset as Union railway minister Suresh Prabhu did not factor in these aspects into his maiden budget presentation.
Hukmchand D. Shah, a resident of Purasawalkam, said the government could have increased the frequency of the Jodhpur Express. “We have been representing the issue for the past decade,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The saving grace was that there were no fare hikes. The thrust on security measures was welcomed by commuters. Surveillance cameras will be fitted in some coaches on mainline trains and in ladies’ compartments of suburban trains.
Besides, a 24x7 helpline ‘138’ and a toll-free number ‘182’ for security-related complaints were proposed.
“This is the need of the hour as there have been many crimes against women recently,” said K.S. Gopalakrishnan, former zonal railway users’ consultative committee member.
ADVERTISEMENT
Other announcements were Wi-Fi facility in ‘class B’ category stations, self-operated lockers at stations, increase in general coaches on some trains and SMS alert service about updated arrival/departure time of trains at starting or destination stations.
Quota of lower berths for senior citizens and middle berths for women will also be increased. Travelling ticket examiners will also be instructed to assist pregnant women, senior citizens and the differently-abled in getting lower berths.
Getting tickets may also become easier as the minister proposed ‘operation five minutes’ for issuing unreserved tickets.
Hot buttons, coin-vending machines, concessional e-tickets for differently-abled travellers, and a multilingual e-portal for booking tickets were also announced.
Setting up of more automatic ticket-vending machines, with smart cards and currency options, and integrated ticketing system on the lines of rail-cum-road tickets were some of the other announcements.
Here are some highs and lows for Chennai:
HIGHS
- No fare hike
- Stress on comfort, safety, security
- Incentives to senior citizens, differently-abled, women
- Importance to use of technology
- Promise of free Wi-Fi at smaller stations
LOWS
- No new trains
- No word on MRTS extension from Velachery to St. Thomas Mount
- No announcement on development of Royapuram as another terminal
- No commitment on third broad gauge track between Tambaram and Chengalpattu
- No specific announcement on fate of pending Centre–State government projects
****
STUDY OF NEW ROUTE
Chennai-Mamallapuram- Cuddalore (179.28 km): Rs. 1 crore
TRACK DOUBLING
Chennai Beach-Attipattu-4th line (22.1 km): Rs. 110 crore
TRAFFIC FACILITIES
YARD REMODELLING & OTHERS:
Chennai Beach–Additional platform: Rs. 1.5 crore
****
ROAD SAFETY WORK
LEVEL CROSSINGS
Chennai Division-Interlocking of manned level-crossing gates: Rs. 90 lakh
ROAD OVER/UNDERBRIDGES
Chennai Beach-Washermenpet-underbridge: Rs. 5 lakh
****
TRACK RENEWALS
Chennai Beach-Velachery (6.62 km): Rs. 2 crore
Chennai Beach-Tambaram (9.35 km): Rs. 80 lakh
****
SIGNALLING AND TELECOMMUNICATION
Chennai Area: public address system in suburban trains (66 rakes): Rs. 1 crore
Chennai Beach-Tambaram-Chengalpattu: train protection and warning system: Rs. 1 lakh
****
STAFF QUARTERS
Ayanavaram - reconstruction of quarters, type-II (56 units): Rs. 80 lakh
****
PASSENGER AMENITIES
Basin Bridge - Augmentation of water supply arrangement (installation of recycling plant and electronic monitoring system): Rs. 1.5 crore
Chennai Egmore - Improvement to passenger amenities including beautification: Rs. 1.2 crore