15 Citizen Ideas that Shaped the Rail Budget 2016-17
Citizen participation plays a vital role in a vibrant democracy. Continuing its efforts to encourage citizen participation in governance, MyGov, in association with Ministry of Railways, invited ideas to be incorporated in the rail budget for the second consecutive year. The discussion received numerous innovative ideas. Some of the ideas were reflected in the budget proposal presented by the Railway Minister Shri. Suresh Prabhu on Thursday, 25th February 2016. MyGov appreciates the contribution of all the citizens who participated in this discussion.
Suggestion 1: International technological solutions
“We should adopt new international technologies like China” – Venkati, Vizag(AP)
Government Budget Proposal
“In line with international best practices, we will rely on technological solutions for project management and monitoring”.
Suggestion 2: Reduction in tools weight
“Minimize or eliminate over load of tool kits of gang men”—Jana Basha Shaik, Hyderabad
Government Budget Proposal
“We will also reduce the weight of the tools carried by the gang men while patrolling on foot through value engineering.”
Suggestion 3: Fully unreserved coaches
“A train with fully unreserved coaches should be introduced” – Sundararaj Sigamani, Tamil Nadu
Government Budget Proposal
“We propose to introduce the Antyodaya Express, a long-distance, fully unreserved, superfast train service, for the common man to be operated on dense routes.”
Suggestion 4: Startup collaboration
“Railways can involve startup firms to promote travel by Railways to the various tourist spots”- Sriram Venkatanarasimhan, Tamil Nadu
Government Budget Proposal
“We are setting aside a sum of Rs. 50 crore for providing innovation grants to employees, startups and growth oriented small businesses to support internal and external innovation.”
Suggestion 5: Radio networks inside trains
“All India Radio RCA jack will be provided to every berth”- Rahul Morje, Mumbai
Government Budget Proposal
“We propose to invite FM Radio stations for providing train borne entertainment by installing PA systems in trains”
Suggestion 6: Training for railway staff
“Try to have special training courses for Railway staff” – Piyush Gupta, Meerut
Government Budget Proposal
“Training in yoga will be imparted to our staff, especially from RPF.”
Suggestion 7: Storage facilities at freight terminals for farmers
“I think the Government should focus on Freight and logistics. This will help our farmers in storing and moving heavy commodities from their farms to the cities” – Anil Shringi, Mumbai
Government Budget Proposal
“Encourage development of cold storage facilities on vacant land near freight terminals. Local farmers and fisherman would be given preferential usage of the facility.”
Suggestion 8: Travel insurance
“Provide insurance system for the traveller, such that he can be safeguardedand given another travel option” – Dharmesh Purohit, Gujarat
Government Budget Proposal
“To minimize the financial loss to passengers from such events, we are working with insurance companies to offer optional travel insurance for rail journeys at the time of booking.”
Suggestion 9: Local cuisine in trains
“’Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat’ special trains be introduced. History, culture, rich heritage of India be depicted. Most popular food and cuisine of different states be served to the tourists and visitors”- Rajkaran Singh Bhatti, Chandigarh
Government Budget Proposal
“Local cuisine of choice will be made available to passengers.”
Suggestion 10: Plantations on tracks for revenue generation
“Indian Railways has more than 1,00,000 acres of land (approx.) which needs to be properly utilised for generating income. Land can be diverted towards plantations/income generating green cover enhancing activities”- Rajkaran Singh Bhatti, Chandigarh
Government Budget Proposal
“Indian Railways has huge tracts of land available adjacent to its rail network. We will lease out this space to promote horticulture and tree plantation.”
Suggestion 11: Mobile application for grievance redressal
“Make a railway application, at least for complaints” – Amit Gupta
Government Budget Proposal
“A mobile application to redress Railway related complaints is also being developed.”
Suggestion 12: Tourist circuit trains
“A fully air-conditioned service (preferably a daily express throughout the year or at least on the Suvidha pattern during peak/summer/winter seasons) having no stops en-route on the lines of a Shatabdi Express or Bharat Darshan or State Tirth Yatra Train or Hindu Circuit Train or Charter Train (spiritual tour with all inclusive package – confirmed rail reservation” – K Balasubramanian, Chennai
Government Budget Proposal
“We will be partnering with the State Governments for operating tourist circuit trains and explore the possibility of a revenue sharing model.”
Suggestion 13: RORO Train services
“More number of RORO Train Services must be available to more cities.This will reduce the CO2 emission and increase the revenue”- Sooraj T, Kerala
Government Budget Proposal
“A full-fledged market study is being undertaken and detailed supply and demand scenarios, service level and infrastructure requirements will be assessed so that an action plan to re-capture that traffic through either containerization or new delivery models e.g., Roll-on Roll-off (RORO), will be developed and implemented”
Suggestion 14: Toilets for loco-pilots
“Railways should take steps to provide toilets in train engines as well” – Apurva Rai, Noida
Government Budget Proposal
“We will also provide toilets and air-conditioning in cabs for our loco pilots.”
Suggestion 15: On board entertainment
“On board entertainment facilities should be available” – Saurabh Sinha, Delhi
Government Budget Proposal
“Railways will offer on-board services such as entertainment, Wi-Fi, etc. through one service provider for ensuring accountability and improved customer satisfaction.”
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Just heartiest thanks to Government for listening ordinary people & also proposed it in Rail budget. Going on right track but still lot more to do.
Hats of to Hoble Railway Minister.Almost all medias predicted increase in train fare/freight charges.But Railway minister has presented a budget without any such increase.Thank you
BULLET TRAIN: Need to re-look at this one as at this juncture it may not be economically viable.
Funds may be utilised to upgrade existing services and speed. Ahmedabad-Mumbai by air takes 1H15M
at around Rs 2K. Can BT compete! AeroCity Metro under DMRC is a case on hand where operational costs
not realised for high metro fare. We must inquire, in Japan what % of passenger do use BT for high fare.
We may look into BT after 2030
My 3 suggestions
1. Lower birth should be charged as premium(Say Rs 50 extra) so that people not needing lower birth do not opt for it.
2. Side births in 2nd AC should be charged 3rd AC fare.
3. Seat numbers should be allocated at the time of chart preparations(if birth preference is not being fulfilled at the time of booking). This way honouring birth preference would be efficient.
There should be cameras in the train for the Safety Reasons and no one can mishandle the instruments and equipment installed in the trains specially in sleeper and above classes.
There should be cameras in Sleeper and above classes for safety reasons and no one can mishandle the instruments in trains E.G. Switches,Tables Etc.
Provide speakers inside the train and in that if the train is in some station make the announcement are hear through that speakers it’s very helpful for passengers and also make that to say the station name when it arrives.
Provide speakers inside the train and in that if the train is in some station make the announcement are hear through that speakers it’s very helpful for passengers and also make that to say the station name when it arrives. This is very useful because passengers inside the train they don’t hear anything of unwanted noise and also they don’t hear if another train engine is nearby them on nearest track.
please give awrness to people regarding hygeine & safety through booklet , notices in different launguages .
That citizens ideas has been internalized is itself a good initiative. It is even better that you are highlighting that aspect of decision making. More stakeholders will be encouraged to contribute. No Indian now has an excuse to step back and criticize.
Thanks for hearing out from citizens. I didn’t know where these ideas were posted, I have one suggestion. Why there is no online ticketing system for general tickets yet? This eliminates long queues, saves so much time and frustrations! There is no better time for taking up this, Since there is so much fuss about #DigitalIndia