Duronto durast

Mamata Banerjee introduced 12 non-stop trains between major metros in the Railway Budget yesterday, but railway officials say it is technically impossible.u00a0MiD DAY weighs the pros and cons

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee confidently announced the introduction of 12 non-stop Duronto trains between major metros while presenting the Railway Budget 2009-2010 yesterday.

But Railway officials are sceptical of the benefits and feasibility of running a non-stop train. They say it is technically impossible.

The trains, which will have both AC and non-AC compartments, will be faster than the Rajdhani Express, which runs at 130 kmph.

Advantages

>u00a0A 31-hour journey like one from Howrah to Mumbai will be made in 26 hours by Duronto trains
> Unreserved passengers cannot board
> Safer option for single women travellers
> Comfort at a cheap rate

Disadvantages

> In a more than 30-hour journey, travel time cut by three to four hours is not a big difference
> A clear course is not always possible due to other trains en route
> Without stops, it is impossible to replace the crew and locos. Also, food and water need to be loaded for longer journeys

Inputs by Bipin Kumar Singh and Jayita Bantyopadhyay

Key Highlights of Railway Budget 2009-10

For general public

>> To introduce intercity double decker AC coaches

>> To facilitate tickets from 5,000 post offices

>> To facilitate connectivity to various tourist and pilgrim places in the country

>> To introduce 50 mobile rail ticket vans

>> To give automated ticketing systems at 200 stations

>> To introduce new scheme with Rs 25 monthly ticket

>> New scheme 'Izzat' for people with income below Rs 1,500 p.m.

>>To introduce uniform ticket plan for distance up to 100 km

>>To introduce 12 non-stop AC trains from point to point

>> Tatkal fee to be fixed as a % of total fare. Minimum fee changed to Rs 100 from present Rs 150

>> Tatkal duration reduced to 2 days from 5 days

>> 60% metro concessions to students

>> Run AC Yuva trains for youth at Rs 299 up to 1,500 km

>> On-board infotainment services in Rajdhani, Shatabdi trains

>> To launch superfast parcel services

>>To introduce ladies special local trains at Chennai, Delhi & Kolkata

>> More facilities for physically handicapped

>> To introduce regional food in trains, improve the over all infrastructure in trains and at stations.

>> Passenger amenity spend hiked to Rs 1,102 crore

For companies

>> 1,000 MW power project with NTPC

>> To acquire 18,000 wagons in FY10 - Beneficiary BEML, Titagarh Wagons & Texmaco

>> Upgrade 50 stations with international standards - PPP (Private Public Partnership) - Beneficiary GVK Power and Infra

>> To use rail land bank for industrial purposes. To build logistics parks/hubs with PPP and introducing new policy for container terminals

>> Rs 1,200 crore kept towards PPP

>> Security plan for 140 stations - Beneficiary Integra Hindustan Control & Kernex Microsystems

>> Installation of anti-collision devices in 1,780 km lines - Beneficiary Kernex Microsystems

>> Identified 375 stations for development

>> DRFC project to move on faster pace - viability study done for four routes - Beneficiary Concor and other private players

>> To speed up work on Rae Bareli coach factory

>> To set up new coach factory at Kachrapara, Bengal & will make 500 coaches p.a.

>> To form expert panel for rail optic fibre network - Beneficiary Kalindee Rail

>> To spend Rs 1,750 crore in gauge conversion of 1,300 kms in FY10 - Beneficiary Kalindee Rail

>> To focus on signal modernisation - Beneficiary Kalindee Rail

>> Rs 2,920 crore allocated for constructing 53 new lines - Beneficiary Kalindee Rail

>> Proposal for doubling 700 kms lane in FY10 - Beneficiary Kalindee Rail

>> Plan warehouses to curb wastage of perishable freight

>> Freight target set at 882 Mn tonnes

>> Budgetary allocation for railways has increased by Rs 5,000 crore

>> Allocated Rs 1,914 crore more on national projects

>> Deploy Rs 15,675 core via internal resources