Railway Budget 2012-13 (in Pics)

Railway Budget 2012-13 proposes to increase passenger fares across all classes, add 100 new trains and hire more than one lakh employees.

Union Railways Minister Dinesh Trivedi at Rail Bhavan before leaving for Parliament to present the Budget.

The Railway Minister announced marginal hike in passenger fares ranging from 2 paise per kilometre to 30 paise per kilometre in various categories of trains.

The Minister promised to set up Indian Railways Stations Development Corporations to re-develop stations and maintain them like airports.

Minimum fare and platform tickets will cost Rs. 5 as per the new Railway Budget.

All unmanned level crossings will be abolished in the next five years due to safety concerns.

Two double-decker trains and a Shatabdi train are among the 72 new express trains announced in the Rail Budget 2012-13.

New passenger services include escalators at major stations, alternative train accommodation for wait-listed passengers, laundry services and AC lounges.

Specially designed coaches for differently-abled persons will be provided in each Mail/Express trains, according to the Minister.

Porters listen to the Railway budget 2012-13 speech in Moradabad. Indian Railways will target 1,025 MT freight loading this year.