Rail budget 2013: Work in progress on last year’s promises

MUMBAI: Compared to this year, the 2012-13 budget was a blockbuster for Mumbaikars. The then railway minister Dinesh Trivedi had announced a slew of new projects, including the 12-car Harbour Line corridor, an air-conditioned suburban train on WR and a push for elevated rail corridor projects on the Central Railway, Western Railway and Harbour Line suburban networks.
A senior official said, “Though hailing from a regional party, Trivedi had set the ball rolling for many milestone projects in Mumbai. His budget will have a long-lasting impact on the Mumbai suburban sector.” The much-awaited AC suburban service will see trials and an inauguration in 2013-14. The official said, “We plan to run 12 services between Churchgate-Andheri and Churchgate-Bandra..”
The other crucial item on last year’s agenda was services to Dahanu on WR. The official said, “We will introduce the services during this financial year. However, the number and schedule is to be finalized.”
The 2012-13 budget also approved Harbour Line works to support 12-car services on the CST-Panvel and CST-Andheri stretches. A Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation official said, “We have already begun work at the stations to extend the length of the platforms. The work should finish in a couple of years, thus increasing carrying capacity of trains by 33%.”
The state government and railway ministry is yet to find common ground on the State Support Agreement for the elevated WR corridor. Also on the backburner are plans to undertake a feasibility study for the CST-Kalyan elevated corridor. The railways have also made it clear that the CST-Panvel elevated corridor will move ahead only after differences on the WR elevated corridor are sorted out.
Lack of coordination between the state and railways has also led to a delay on the Panvel coach complex, which has the potential to spur economic growth in the region.
Budget 2013
Rail Budget 2013
Economic Survey 2013