Railways Budget 2016-17 important points announced by railways minister Mr Suresh Babu

• With reach to Swacch Bharat: 17,000 bio-toilets and additional toilets to be provided by end of this Fiscal Year.• Wi-Fi at 100 railway stations this year and 400 next year.• We are planning to introduce bar-coded tickets on pilot basis to tackle menace of ticketless travel.• Two dedicated freight corridors by 2019.• There is an increase in seat quota this year; 50% up for senior citizens.• The minister has proposed to invite FM radio stations to provide train borne entertainment via PA systems:• The companies owned by Railways to come under a holding company.• The cleaning of toilets by requests through SMS.• Special purpose vehicle for the Ahmedabad-Mumbai high speech corridor registered this month.• Safety record has become better. 20% less accidents this year than last year but a lot needs to be done.• Rs. 50 crore for providing innovation grants to start-ups.• Ring Railway to be redeveloped in partnership with the Delhi government.• Recruitment process made online for Railways and use of Social Media to bring 100% transperancy.• Railways will open cancellation facility through 139 helpline number.• Railways will install GPS-based digital display in coaches for showing upcoming stations.• Railways will include e-ticket facility for foreign debit and credit card holders.• Railways to increase the quota of lower berths for women and senior citizens.• Railways shall generate 9 crore man-days employment by 2017-18 and 14 crore man-days by 2018-19.• Railways shall commission 2,800 km of new tracks in next year.• Railways poised to commission broad gauge lines at the rate of 7 km per day against 4.5 km over last five years.• Railways is working with insurance companies for optional insurance to passengers.• Railways intend to publish Rail Bandhu magazine in all regional languages.• Railways hopes to generate revenues of order of Rs.1,84,820 cr next year, 10.1% higher than revised target of current year.• Railways has received in-principle approval from 17 States to form joint ventures. Cabinet decision to allow JVs with States for rail projects opens new vistas for ownership in railway sector.• Railways has introduced Sarthi Seva in Konkan Railways for help to senior citizens; will expand this service.• Railways has introduced 1,780 ticket-vending machines.• Railways has finalised bids for setting up 2 locomotive factories. New factories to be set up with an order book of Rs. 40,000 crore.• Railways has also revamped our internal audit system with view to bringing in efficiency in working practices.
• Partner with the Govt. of TN for developing suburban network in Chennai through innovative financing methods.• Overnight double-decker trains to be introduced on business travel routes.• North-East India, especially Mizoram and Manipur, to be connected through broad gauge soon.• No hike in railway fares.• New way of funding projects introduced using institutional financing.• New policy of multi-purpose stalls at station to provide multiple services like milk and medicines.• New freight corridors announced: Delhi-Chennai, Kharagpur-Mumbai, Kharagpur-Vijayawada.• Long distance superfast train Antyodaya Express for unreserved passsengers, Fully unreserved superfast trains to be introduced on dense traffic routes, We'll introduce Deen Dayal coaches for long distance trains for unreserved passengers.• Local cuisine of choice will be made available to passengers, Children's menu, baby foods, baby boards to be made available for travelling mothers.• LIC has agreed invest Rs. 1.5 lakh crore over 5 years on extremely favourable terms.• Journalists to get facility of e-booking of tickets on concessional passes.• Joint hands with Karnataka State Government for suburban rails.• IRCTC will begin to manage catering service in phased manner.• In-principal nod for MUTP projects received.• India's first rail auto hub to come up in Chennai.• Indian Railways to surpass ambitious target of commissioning 2500 kms of broad gauge lines, almost 30% higher than last year.• Increase the advertising revenue by more than four times this year.• In 2016-17, the capital plan will be Rs. 1,21,000 crore.• For year 2016-17 railways  expect the operating ratio of 92%. 

What is operating ratio? It is a financial ratio used for large industries to define operating expenses as a percentage of revenue.

• Enhanced capacity of e-ticketing system from 2000 tickets/min to 7,200/min.• Elimination of unmanned level crossings a priority. By 2020, eliminiate all unmanned level crossing.• Elevated rail corridors from Churchgate to Virar and CST to Panvel on the cards.• Drones to be used for remote monitoring of ongoing projects.• Coolies will be called 'Sahayaks'.• CCTV network has been provided at 311 railway stations.• By 2020, we'll have time-tabled freight trains.• A full-fledged Railway University soon.• 33% sub-quota for women under all reserved categories.• 1,600 km of electrification this year and 2,000 km proposed for the next year.