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{{use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox government budget
| country = India
| previous_budget = 2015 Railway Budget of India
| previous_year = 2015

| image = Emblem_of_India.svg
| caption = [[Emblem of India]]
| submitter = [[Suresh Prabhu]], [[Ministry of Railways (India)|Railway Minister]]
| presented = 25 February 2016
| parliament = [[Indian Parliament]]
| party = [[Bhartiya Janta Party]]
| url = {{url|http://www.indiabudget.nic.in}}
}}
'''2016 Railway Budget of India''' refers to the [[Railway Budget]] of the [[Indian Railways]] in the [[fiscal year]] 2016–17. The budget was presented by the Railway Minister [[Suresh Prabhu]] in the [[Indian Parliament|Parliament]] on 25 February 2016.<ref name="TasteBud-TH">{{cite news|title=Railway Budget may tickle taste buds of passengers|url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/budget/railway-budget-may-tickle-taste-buds-of-passengers/article8276653.ece?ref=relatedNews|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=25 February 2016}}</ref> It was the final Railway Budget of India as after this budget, the Railway Budget got merged with the [[Union Budget of India]].

==Summary==
There were no fare hikes. It was announced that the [[freight]] tariffs would be changed to make them more competitive to the cost of transport by road.<ref name="NoHike-IE">{{cite news|title=Rail budget: No hike in fares; 3 more freight corridors, cut in goods tariff on its way|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/business/budget/suresh-prabhu-union-budget-2016-rail-budget-no-changes-in-passenger-fares-freight/|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=26 February 2016}}</ref> The capital outlay for 2016-17 was set at {{INRConvert|1.21|lc|0}}, a 20% increase from last year.<ref name="Capex-ET">{{cite news|title=Rail Budget 2016: JV with states, bonds likely to fund Rs 1.21-lakh crore capex plan|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/rail-budget-2016-jv-with-states-bonds-likely-to-fund-rs-1-21-lakh-crore-capex-plan/articleshow/51147054.cms|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[The Economic Times]]|date=26 February 2016}}</ref> The revenue from traffic was projected at {{INRConvert|1.85|lc|0}}.<ref name="Numbers-TOI">{{cite news|title=Rail Budget 2016 in numbers|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/budget-2016/rail-budget-2016/Rail-Budget-2016-in-numbers/articleshow/51136208.cms|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=25 February 2016}}</ref>

===Cleanliness===
It was announced that 17,000 [[composting toilet|bio-vacuum toilet]]s would be installed on various trains. These toilets use a bacterium developed by the [[DRDO]] in the compost tank. Additional toilets would be built in 475 stations.<ref name="Toilet-IT">{{cite news|title=Railway Budget 2016: 17,000 bio-vacuum toilets to be installed on trains|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/railway-budget-2016-17-000-bio-vacuum-toilets-to-be-installed-on-trains/1/605024.html|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[India Today]]|date=25 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="BioToi-TH">{{cite news|title=All trains to have bio-toilets in the next five years|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/all-trains-to-have-biotoilets-in-the-next-five-years/article7038533.ece|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=27 March 2015}}</ref> A "Clean My Coach" initiative was announced which will allow passengers to request cleaning service by [[SMS]].<ref name="CleanSMS-AA">{{cite news|title=Rail Budget 2016: Baby food, CCTVs to rein in touts, clean coaches via SMS|url=http://www.asianage.com/india/rail-budget-2016-baby-food-cctvs-rein-touts-clean-coaches-sms-386|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[The Asian Age]]|date=26 February 2016}}</ref>

===Safety===
A target to eliminate all unmanned [[railway crossing]]s by 2020 was announced. There are about 11,000 unmanned crossings in India. The 2015 budget had allocated {{INRConvert|6581|c|0}} to eliminate 3,500 of these crossing. But by February 2016, work had been completed on only 1,000 of them.<ref name="Unmanned-HT">{{cite news|title=Unmmaned crossings to be eliminated by 2020: Prabhu|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/unmmaned-crossings-to-be-eliminated-by-2020-prabhu/story-tC2H9fSVuiP1vaxX1ZtVII.html|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=25 February 2016}}</ref> CCTVs will be installed in major stations.<ref name="Coolie-IT"/> It was also announced that travel insurance will be offered to passengers.<ref name="Insurance-HT">{{cite news|title=Rail travel insurance on the cards|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/business/rail-travel-insurance-on-the-cards/article8283432.ece|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=26 February 2016}}</ref>

===Convenience and comfort===
New SMART (Specially Modified Aesthetic Refreshing Travel) coaches will be introduced, which will be roomier and have automatic doors, entertainment and vending machines. FM radio stations will be invited to provide entertainment at selected stations. The railway magazine, Rail Bandhu, will be now published in all regional languages and would be available for purchase to reserved passengers.<ref name="Coolie-IT">{{cite news|title=Modern coolies, Data SUTRA, more goodies in Rail Budget|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/modern-coolies-data-sutra-more-goodies-in-rail-budget/1/605193.html|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[India Today]]|date=25 February 2016}}</ref>

===Facilities for senior citizens, women and differently-abled persons===
The budget introduced some new facilities for senior citizens, women and [[differently-abled]] persons. The number of lower berths reserved for senior citizens was increased by 50% to about 120 per train. Under the reserved category, 33% was earmarked for women travelers. In all coaches, the middle bays were reserved for women. A 24-hours helpline for women was announced.<ref name="ForWomen-TOI">{{cite news|title=Rail Budget 2016: For women, more quotas and enhanced safety measures|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/budget-2016/rail-budget-2016/articleshow/51137892.cms|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=25 February 2015}}</ref> Women traveling with infants will provided with baby foods, milk, hot water and diaper-changing boards on trains and stations under the "Janani Seva" initiative.<ref name="CleanSMS-AA"/><ref name="PleaseAll-NIE">{{cite news|title=Railway Budget: Please-all Prabhu Express|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Railway-Budget-Please-all-Prabhu-Express/2016/02/26/article3297598.ece|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=26 February 2016}}</ref>

It was also announced that differently-abled persons will be able to register once online to avail concession. New [[Braille]]-enabled coaches will be introduced. Wheelchairs will be allowed to be booked online. Under the [[Accessible India Campaign]], all stations currently under redevelopment will be made disabled-friendly.<ref name="Differently-NDTV">{{cite news|title=Soon, Differently-Abled Can Avail Rail Travel Concessions Online|url=http://gadgets.ndtv.com/internet/news/soon-differently-abled-can-avail-rail-travel-concessions-online-807300|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[NDTV]]|date=26 February 2016}}</ref>

===New trains and projects===

[[Antyodaya Express]] will be a fully unreserved [[Superfast Express trains in India|Superfast Express]] class of trains which will run on dense routes. A few unreserved additional coaches called "Deen Dayalu" coaches will added to long distance trains. These coaches will have [[potable water]] and mobile charging ports.<ref name="New-IE">{{cite news|title=Railway Budget 2016: New trains proposed by Suresh Prabhu|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/business/budget/railway-budget-2016-new-trains-suresh-prabhu-budget-session/|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=25 February 2016}}</ref> The [[Mahamana Express]] between [[Delhi]] and [[Varanasi]] was announced with upgraded coaches.<ref name="Mahamana-DNA">{{cite news|title=Railway Budget 2016: Only Varanasi gets new train; Mahamana Express to have modern coaches|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-railway-budget-2016-only-varanasi-gets-new-train-mahamana-express-to-have-modern-coaches-2182387|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[DNA India]]|date=25 February 2016}}</ref>

[[Humsafar Express]], an AC 3-tier service with optional meal service, targeted at the middle class was announced.<ref name="Humsafar-HT">{{cite news|title=Humsafar to Uday: With 4 new trains, Prabhu offers solutions to all|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/humsafar-to-uday-with-4-new-trains-prabhu-offers-solutions-to-all/story-uv08doC75u4L5LnDBuddHO.html|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=25 February 2016}}</ref> Tejas will be a [[semi-high speed train]] with a speed of 130 km/h. It will provide onboard WiFi, entertainment and local cuisine.<ref name="New-IE"/> [[Uday Express]] or Utkrisht Double Decker Air Conditioned Yatri Express will be [[double-decker train]]s with 40% additional passenger capacity. They will run overnight on busy routes.<ref name="New-IE"/><ref name="Humsafar-HT"/> Three new freight corridors were announced: [[Delhi]] to [[Chennai]], [[Kharagpur]] to [[Mumbai]], and [[Kharagpur]] to [[Vijaywada]].<ref name="NoHike-IE"/>

===Other===
A Special Unit for Transportation Research and Analytics (SUTRA) was announced to [[datamine]] the 1TB of data collected annually by the railways.<ref name="Coolie-IT"/> It was reported that an audit of operations in the [[Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh|Ghaziabad]] to [[Mughalsarai]] section has been started. The heavy traffic section used to affect the entire network. Following the audit, some improvement in punctuality were observed.<ref name="Toilet-IT"/>

==Responses==
Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] called the budget passenger-centric and said that it caters to all sections of the society.<ref name="Cater-TOI">{{cite news|title=Rail Budget caters to all sections: PM Narendra Modi|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/budget-2016/rail-budget-2016/Rail-Budget-caters-to-all-setions-PM-Narendra-Modi/articleshow/51139742.cms|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=25 February 2016}}</ref> Transport Minister [[Nitin Gadkari]] called the budget reformative and claimed that it will change the basic infrastructure of the railways.<ref name="Nitin-ET">{{cite news|title=Rail Budget reformative, will change face of railways: Nitin Gadkari|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-02-26/news/59541877_1_rail-budget-union-minister-nitin-gadkari-indian-railways|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[The Economic Times]]|date=26 February 2016}}</ref>

The [[Aam Aadmi Party]] in a statement called the budget oblivious to the needs of the common man. It claimed that the budget panders to the corporations. It also pointed out that the benefit of falling oil prices were not passed on to the passengers.<ref name="AAP-BS">{{cite news|title=Rail budget "document of illusion": AAP|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/rail-budget-document-of-illusion-aap-116022501286_1.html|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[Business Standard]]|date=25 February 2016}}</ref> [[Indian National Congress|INC]] leader [[Shashi Tharoor]] said that the budget seemed like corporate presentation and that it had no concrete proposals for changes in the services.<ref name="Cong-BL">{{cite news|title=Congress: Rail Budget more like corporate presentation|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/congress-rail-budget-more-like-corporate-presentation/article8280328.ece|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[The Hindu Business Line]]|date=25 February 2016}}</ref>

[[Odisha]] Chief Minister [[Naveen Patnaik]] welcomed the increased allocation of funds towards his state, a 30% increase from 2015. He also praised the extension of the Kharagpur to Vijayawada freight corridor.<ref name="Odisha-BS">{{cite news|title=Rail Budget 2016: Patnaik lauds enhanced allocation for Odisha|url=http://www.business-standard.com/budget/article/rail-budget-2016-patnaik-lauds-enhanced-allocation-for-odisha-116022500880_1.html|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[Business Standard]]|date=25 February 2016}}</ref> [[Gujarat]] Chief Minister Anandiben Patel praised the railway budget for the facilities provided to senior citizens and women.<ref name="Guj-IE">{{cite news|title=Rail Budget ‘public need-oriented’: Gujarat CM|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/rail-budget-public-need-oriented-cmrail-budget-public-need-oriented-cm/|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=26 February 2016}}</ref>

The stock market index [[SENSEX]] fell 113 points after the announcement. The stock values of companies in the railway sector also fell.<ref name="Inspire-TH">{{cite news|title=Sensex slips 113 points after rail budget fails to inspire market|url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/markets/sensex-slips-113-points-after-rail-budget-fails-to-inspire-market/article8280747.ece|accessdate=27 February 2016|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=25 February 2016}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[2016 Union budget of India]]

==References==
{{reflist|3}}

==External links==
* {{cite web|title=Rail Budget 2016-17|url=http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/view_section.jsp?id=0,1,304,366,539|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]}}

{{Union budget of India}}

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[[Category:2016 government budgets|Railway Budget of India]]

2016 Railway budget of India - Revision history

MetaBOT at 19:01, 8 July 2023