There will also be a marginal hike in reservation charges and cancellation charges.

Superfast charges and tatkal rates, though, will be hiked.

Freight income expected at for FY 13 target Rs 89976 crores, says Railway minister

Bansal: Railways will hone skills of finance and accounts officers

Internet booking of railway tickets to be provided from 0030 hours to 2330 hours

Common rail-bus ticket to be introduced for Katra-Vaishnodevi pilgrims

104 stations will identified for "special attention", the minister says. He also says that Railways will ban use of plastic and use more recycled products

Bansal: Railways plan Rs 2000 crores fund for land and station development

Railways will also set up six more Rail Neer bottling plants to meet the demand for water on trains, Bansal says

Improving quality of food on trains

There will be food-testing labs for food served on trains at the railway stations. 
ISO certification is going to be made mandatory for all rail kitchens. 
In case the food ordered turns out to be rotten, passengers can dial 1800111321, a toll-free helpline.

India joins China, Russia and the US as 1 billion-plus tonne freight carrier on Railways

Freight traffic is the mainstay of income for Railways, says Railway minister

Indian railways is concerned about the safety of women passengers, and has created 4 companies of women RPF personnel for their safety, Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said.

For internet and mobile phone users

Internet booking hours will be increased from 12.30 am to 11.30 pm. E-Booking will also be expanded to allow bookings through mobile phones. The new e-ticketing system will support 7200 users per minute.

The rail minister has also proposed free wi-fi on select trains. It will also be possible to use Aadhar cards to book tickets.

With a demand for luxury travel raising, Anubhuti coaches will be added in trains soon, says Bansal. At least one of these new high-on-luxury coaches will be provided on each long-distance train soon.

179 elevators and 400 lifts in stations will also be added in stations across the country to help the physically challenged.

Next generation e-ticketing system by end of this year

Have spent Rs 100 crores on upgrading 3 Delhi stations

bansal: Plan for free wi-fi on trains

Pained by Allahabad railway station tragedy

10797 level crossing will be eliminated in 12th Plan, says Railway minister

Freight rates cross subsidise passenger fares, so Railways are unable to generate internal resources

Railways to borrow Rs 1 lakh crore from the market during the 12 th Plan

Pawan Bansal hints a huge step up in investment in automatic signalling to make rail travel safe for passengers

He also announces enhancing of track capacity and of the train protection and warning system (TPWS).

The number of trains have been increased from 8897 in 2001-02 to 12335 in 2011-12 (an additional 3438 trains in 10 years), says the rail minister.

Railway passengers deserve a safe and comfortable journey: Pawan Kumar Bansal

Railways market bowworing of 2.0 lakh cr, could allocate only 10,000 cr in the first year of 12th plan; next four years calls for a paradigm shift

Condemns allahbad station stampede " the incident has shaken us, safety is a necessary mandate for running the railways"

Railways fall short of guage conversion and expansion targets in 11th plan, convert only 5,322 km

Number of Passenger trains increased from 8,897 in Fy12 to 12,258 in FY13. Losses on these operations continue to rise, stand at s 24,600 cr in FY13.

Bansal: Railway plays an important role in the growth of the nation

Pawan Kumar bansal starts his speech with the usual homage to Congress leaders

Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal will present the Railway Budget for 2013-14 in a short while.