Budget 2017: Govt allocates Rs 1 lakh crore corpus for railway safety

New Delhi: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today presented the Railway budget which was merged with general budget for the first time. Rail Budget main focus on safety, infra development. During the presentation of budget the finance minister made big announcement and also the setting up of a Rail Safety Fund.

Here are the highlights of the Rail Budget

1) Total capital and developmental expenditure for India Railways has been fixed at Rs 1,31,000 crore.

2) Besides, Rs 1 lakh crore corpus for rail safety has also been allocated. Government will lay down clear timeline for elimination rail accidents.

3) Unmanned railway crossing to go completely in a few years. As many as 70 new rail projects under consideration. Around 7,000 railway stations would be provided solar power facilities.

4) Arun Jaitley informed the Parliament "Transformative measures have to be undertaken to make Indian Railways competitive,".

5) Competitive ticket booking facilities would be made available.

6) Service charge on booking tickets on IRCTC to be withdrawn.

7) A new Metro Rail Act has been enacted to accelerate projects laying Metro Rail Networks in country.