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India unveils railway budget India announces more new trains in railway budget
(about 3 hours later)
India's government has unveiled its railway budget, outlining spending plans for one of the world's largest rail networks. India's government has announced over 100 new trains in its railway budget but no changes in passenger charges.
Last month, the government raised passenger fares because the network was facing a loss. Last month, the government raised passenger fares because it said the network was facing a loss.
India's state-owned railway operates 9,000 passenger trains and carries some 18 million passengers daily. India's state-owned railway operates more than 12,000 passenger trains and carries some 18 million passengers daily.
Indian Railways is also one of the world's largest employers, with more than 1.4 million people working for it.Indian Railways is also one of the world's largest employers, with more than 1.4 million people working for it.
Railway minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said on Monday that there was a "overwhelming" demand for new trains from the people and MPs. Railway minister Pawan Kumar Bansal announced 103 new trains, including 67 new express trains.
State-run broadcaster Doordarshan reported that Mr Bansal was likely to announce a number of passenger-friendly measures including improvement in the quality of food served on trains and cleaner railway stations. He said there were no plans to further raise fares as they "were revised only in January".
There is also the question of eliminating fatalities on the busy railway network. Mr Bansal admitted the mounting losses had "resulted in deterioration of [passenger] services".
A 2012 official report revealed that nearly 15,000 people died every year crossing tracks - a figure that the government described as a "massacre". Correspondents say the government did not revise fares despite mounting losses because it faces general elections next year.
Among other highlights of the budget:
  • Eliminating over 10,000 unmanned level crossings to improve safety on the network. A 2012 official report revealed that nearly 15,000 people died every year crossing tracks - a figure that the government described as a "massacre".
  • Improved e-ticketing and free wi-fi facilities on selected trains.
  • Some 500km (310 miles) of new track to be built.
  • More than 100 stations to be upgraded.
The railway budget came two days ahead of the annual budget, which is widely expected to be an austere one.