Freight loading by Indian Railways during the fiscal 2011-12 registered an increase of 5.1%. The Railways carried a total freight of 969.1 MMT as against 921.7 MMT in 2010-11. The total freight target for 2012-13 has been fixed at 1025 MMT (BE). During April-November, 2012, Indian Railways carried 647.1 MMT of revenue earning freight traffic. This is 4.7% higher than the traffic carried (618.05 MMT) during corresponding period of the previous year.

Various schemes have been initiated by Indian Railways towards passenger comfort and safety. Some of them are as follows –

- Under the Adarsh scheme launched in 2009, Adarsh stations are provided with basic amenities such as drinking water, toilets, catering services, waiting rooms and dormitories specially for women passengers.

- Of the 976 stations identified, 616 have been developed so far. Computerized unreserved ticketing system is made available at 5560 locations with 10,172 counters by end of November, 2012.

- About 250 automatic ticket vending machines were commissioned during 2012-13 making the total number of such machines 808.

- The Rake Management System (RMS) has been implemented at 246 locations. It covers all major yards/lobbies and control offices at various divisions and zones.

- High speed passenger trains, popularly referred to as “bullet trains” travelling at speeds above 350 kmph, will soon be a part of the Indian Railways. Seven corridors have been identified for conducting the pre feasibility study.

- Till December, 2012 Linke Holfmann Busch (LHB) coaches have been inducted in 14 Rajdhani, 12 Shatabdi and 11 AC Duronto services. LHB coaches have higher carrying capacity, better riding comfort, higher speed potential, longer life, provision of control discharge toilet system, lower maintenance requirement and enhanced safety features.

- Eight trains have been installed with 436 eco friendly bio toilets. A complete switch over to bio toilets in the new coaches has been planned by 2016-17.

DSM/UM/MV/SR

(Release ID :92581)

Rail transport capacity expansion: freight growth and coordinated passenger infrastructure and rolling-stock modernisation initiatives announced. Rail freight volumes showed year-on-year growth and a national freight target was set, with interim-period performance used as an operational benchmark. Passenger-focused initiatives include station amenity upgrades, expansion of computerized unreserved ticketing and vending machines, implementation of a Rake Management System, induction of modern LHB coaches, pilot bio-toilet installations with a planned full transition in new coaches, and feasibility studies for very high-speed corridors.