Rail Budget: 20 new trains fall on Rajasthan's kitty

JAIPUR: Unveiling his first budget on Wednesday, Union railway minister Dinesh Trivedi announced 20 new trains for Rajasthan, apart from nine route extensions and increase in the frequency of three trains.
A frequent visitor to Salasar and Khatu Shyamji, the minister has also proposed survey for new rail lines between Neem Ka Thana - Sujangarh via Sikar and the holy town of Salasar.He has also announced survey for a new line between Didwana-Ringas via Khatu Shyamji. Earlier, during his visits to Jaipur and other parts of the state, he had stated that 'yeh budget gulaabi hoga'.
Trivedi has also announced three new trains for Coimbatore, Secunderabad and Hyderabad from Rajasthan and a new train connecting pilgrim town of Ajmer and Santragachi in West Bengal.
However, due to increase in passenger fare, the journey to important destinations will be costlier. "As per estimates, the fare to Delhi from Jaipur in general class will be Rs 90 as against the current Rs 77. For chair car, the fare would increase to Rs 570 from Rs 535," said a railway official.
GM, NWR, RC Agarwal, talking to reporters, said: "It is the best budget which will help us in increasing our profitability. As per our requests, the rail minister has also sanctioned Rs 307 crore for construction of railway over bridges and railway under bridges. Mind you, this amount is four times more than what we got in 2011-12."
Altogether, 16 new surveys for laying of tracks have been proposed. "Out of these 16, eight including Ajmer-Kota, Ajmer Sawai Madhopur, Badi Saradri-Nimach, Churu-Nohar, Jaisalmer- Sanu, Puskhar-Medta and Thiyat Hamira-Saunu would be sent to the Planning Commission for its approval," said Lalit Bohra, chief PRO, NWR.
Important gauge conversions including Ratangarh-Sardarsahar, Hanumangarh-Sriganganagar and Sikar-Loharu are likely to be completed in 2012-13.
The announcements show that Trivedi has given nod to the proposals given by Union minister of state for communication and IT, Sachin Pilot, as a total of five new trains and two new trains passing through Ajmer has been approved.
On being asked about the status of three trains which were announced by former minister Mamata Banerjee, general manager, RC Agarwal said the trains are likely to be started. These trains included Ajmer-Nizamuddin duranto, Jaipur-Agra Shatabdi and Jaipur Delhi double decker non-stop.
New Trains
1. Coimbatore-Bikaner AC Express (weekly) via Roha, Vasai road, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur
2. Ahmedabad-Ajmer intercity Express (Daily)
3. Ajmer-Haridwar Express (tri-weekly) via Delhi
4. Bikaner-Puri Express (weekly) via Jaipur, Kota, Katni Murwara, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur
5. Forozpur-Sriganganagar Express (daily) via Fazilka, Abohar
6. Jaipur-Secundrabad Express (weekly) Nagda, Bhopal, Narher, Amravati, Akola
7. Okha-Jaipur Express (Weekly) via Palanpur, Ajmer
8. Valsad-Jodhpur Express (Weekly) Palanpur, Marwar
9. Bandra (T)-Delhi Sarai Rohila Express (weekly) via Palanpur, Phulera
10. Bikaner-Bandra (T) Express (Weekly)via Jodhpur, Marwarm, Ahmedabad
11. Ahmedabad-Gorakhpur Express (weekly) via Palanpur, Jaipur, Mathura, Farrukhabad, Kanpur
12. Kota-Hanumangarh Express (Daily) via Jaipur, Degana, Bikaner
13. Darbhanga-Ajmer Express (Weekly)via Raxaul, Sitapur, Bareilly, Kasganj, Mathura
14. Hyderabad-Ajmer Express (weekly) via Manmad, Itarasi, Ratlam
15. Santragachi-Ajmer Express (weekly) Kharagpur, Chandil, Barkakana, Katni, Kota
New Passenger trains
1. Sriganganagar-Suratgarh Passenger (Ddaily)
2. Ajmer-Pushkar Passenger (5 days)
3. Kota-Jhalawar City Passenger (Daily)
4. Jodhpur-Bilara Passenger (daily)
5. Phulera-Rewari Passenger (Daily)
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