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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No trains for daily commuters, It is a struggle to go to Workplace/office and coming back #Odisha #Bhubaneswar . There is also menace of Beggars and transgenders.
I think Railways must take some steps in the direction of providing comfort in 3A coaches by providing some more space on berth (in terms of Height) as it is impossible for one to sit upper and middle seat.
Dear Sir Passenger trains speed should increase also train number 17023 and 17024 tungabhadra express never reach its destination within time this is express train but it run as passenger train also all trains passing through kurnool town has to halt in jogulamba halt because it is a holy place andet border of telangana state
Very good initiative by government to take care of citizen’s ideas. Something needs to be done to collect human waste from toilets during train stationed on the platform.It will help in creating "Swachchh Bharat".
A mechanism for Long Distance Trains, at least, should be made to display on REAL TIME BASIS, the current available vacant Seats/Berths in each coach so that the prevailing malpractices of allotment of Seat/Berth by TTC/TTE(s) can be addressed to. And transparency in the mechanism can be maintained to the satisfaction of the Travellers, who face a lot of difficulties for availing a Seat/Berth even though the coaches appears to be vacant.
Quite motivating initiative to take opinion from General public and implementing in the daily routine of Railways… Kudos
I am surprised no one has commented on the Toilets in the train. My experience is in First AC, the toilets are worst than the 2AC. Why cannot Railways improve this as this is most nauseating smalling feature in rail travel. There is no staff travelling in the train in 2AC. In first AC this work has been entrusted to third parties and amazingly the TTE refuses to interfere. I have stopped using train services for most of my journeys. Nothing has been mentioned. The bio toilets are a farce too.
Great…Team MyGuv has acted fast in communicating the ‘results’ of public participation in Railway budget formulation to the public. Looking forward to Budget 2016-17 for which FM has reportedly received thousands of suggestions through this system. This is a good beginning which will encourage more people to submit their views to government. Will also put pressure on legislators and legislatures to improve efficiency in performance.
M G Warrier, Mumbai
Benefit should be given to passengers who book their train ticket before 3 – 4 months in advance. Interest generated from advance booking should be pass-on to passengers.
A Big thank you to the Rail ministry for listening to the voices of the people. Most important need of the hour is cleanliness in trains, especially toilets and wash basins in long distance trains.Kindly give highest priority to this.Budget did talk about this.but please implement at any cost.Cleaning alone not enough. The users needs to be continously educated to cooperate.Otherwise its of no use.It will be the most visible change that the Rail ministry can show to citizens.