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Some highlights of the Railway Minister's speech:

• Sleeper, II class fares cut 5%
• 10 Garib Raths in FY09
• Fares for AC-I cut by 7%, AC-II 4%, AC-III 3%
• Freight on fuels cut 5%
• Rs 68788 cr for 5 years cash surplus

• There were lean season discounts offered

• Peak season attracted surcharges

• Railway Fund Balance up at Rs 20,480 cr

• Railways adopted tariff to up market share; revenue

• Apr-Dec freight loading revenue is up 8-10% at Rs 34,700 cr

• Railways will look at leveraging telecom boom for ticketing

• There will be an increase in ticketing counters to 15,000 in 2 years from the current 3,000 now

• Revenue from passenger fares increased by 14%

• FY09 freight loading seen at 790 MT vs 785 MT in FY08

• FY08 rail operating ratio at 76.3%

• Trials for mobile ticketing have already started

• Railways to launch the Go-Mumbai Card/ Smart Card

• Online information display in overnight trains of long distance

• Rs 4000 cr to be spent on 36000 coaches for greent toilets in next 5 year plan

• Low mainenance and more comfortable stainless steel coaches to be introduced from 2010

• To have online control of trains in 2 years

• To link trains via software communication by 2009

• New coaches in all Rajdhani trains by 2010-11

• To start making steel coaches from FY09

• Level of Platforms to be upgraded for passenger convenience

• 30 Bigger stations to have multi level parking system

• 50 large stations to have lifts / escalators- for convenience of senior citizens

• 233 million ton loading was done in the year
• Additional earnings of Rs 2000 cr on freight service

• To upgrade infrastructure in 7 years at Rs 75,000 cr

• 310 mn tonnes of additional freight loading in the next 3 yrs

• 75000 cr in next 7 yrs to further develop saturated transportation lines

• To up auto ticket sale machines to 6,000 in 2 years

• Plan to set up 20,000 km high density network

• FY08 coal freight loading seen at 336 MT

• Work on connecting road for Pipavav Port completed

• 25 tonne and 30 tonne axel load trains allowed for iron ore transport

100 mn tonne business from cement industry
• 200 mn target targeted till 2011

• 50 new terminals to be developed for storage

• SPV for links to Mundra, Kandla, Krishnapatnam ports

• 25-30 tonne axle load trains to be started

• Annual steel traffic aim of 200 mt in 2011 vs 120 mt now

• To manufacture 20000 wagons in 2008-09

• To manufacture wagons having capacity of 22.9 tonnes in 2008-09

• 50 big terminals planned in Mumbai, Pune, Ghaziabad

• Concor to set up 8 depots
  Wagons would be available on lease here on

• Have 15 licensed operators for container trains

• To increase container train operators to 50-55 trains

• To have new wagon leasing policy

• New Bulk handling facilities to be erected for cement

• No busy season surcharge for cement transported in bulk via new facilities

• To have new policy for bulk handling terminals

• Special focus on door to door and value added services

• No busy season surcharge for bulk cement transport via new facilities SBUs (Strategic Business Unit) planned for cement, steel, coal, container sectors

• Rs 250,000 cr worth of funds required by the Railways over the next 5 years for IT upgradation

• 1 lakh crore worth of PPP (Public Private Parternships) over the next 5 years

• Will look at multi model parks for Railways at various locations

• Railway property to fetch 4000 crore in 2008-09

• CCTVs and metal detectors to be put up at all stations

• 60 yrs and older passengers get 30% discount, female above 60 get 50% discount

• Plan fire prevention device in coaches on pilot basis

• Anti-fire gear to cost Rs 7,000 cr if pilot successful

• Mother-Child Healthcare Express to be run in alliance with Rajiv Gandhi Foundation

• Group-D railway examinations to be taken in Urdu also, where it is the second language

• To start 53 new passenger trains

Labels: Budget, India, Indian Railway budget 2008, Laly Yadav, railways

Shimla (शीमला) originally called Simla (सीमला) , is a city in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh। It is also the capital of the state.


About:
In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of the erstwhile British Raj in India। A popular tourist destination, Shimla is often referred to as the "Queen of Hills" (a term coined by the British). Located in north-west Himalayas at an altitude of 2,130 metres (6,988 ft), the city of Shimla, draped in forests of pine, rhododendron, and oak, experiences pleasant summers and cold, snowy winters. The city is famous for its buildings styled in tudorbethan and neo-gothic architecture reminiscent of the colonial era. Shimla is connected to the city of Kalka by one of the longest narrow gauge railway routes in India. Shimla is approximately 115 km (71.4 miles) from chandigarh (चंडीगढ़), the nearest major city, and 365 km (226.8 miles) from New Delhi (नई दील्ली ) national capital. The city is named after the goddess Shyamala Devi, an incarnation of the Hindu Goddess Kali=

Major Places of Interest

Christ Church: Situated on the ridge, Christ Church is the second oldest church in Northern India. It has a very majestic appearance and inside there are stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility. Christ Church is a place all visitors should spend some time in.

Jakhu Hill: 2 km from Shimla, Jakhu Hill is the highest peak and offers a beautiful view of the town and of the snow-covered Himalayas. At the top of the Hill, is an old temple of Hindu Lord Hanuman, which is also the home of countless playful monkeys waiting to be fed by all visitors.

Tara Devi: 11 km from the Shimla bus-stand. Tara Devi has a temple dedicated to the goddess of stars on top of the hill. There is a military Dairy Town here as well as the headquarters of Bharat Scouts and Guides. Devi is an ideal place for a person wanting peace and some rest.

Sankat Mochan: A popular Hanuman (हनुमान) temple is located here. We get an excellent view of Shimla from the temple. It can be reached by car or on foot.

Kufri: Situated at 16 km from Shimla, Kufri is the winter sports capital. During winter, visitors have the facility for skiing. The skiing season is at its best during January and February. Equipment for sking is available from HPTDC winter sports club at Kufri. Apart from skiing, Kufri is a lovely picnic spot with a beautiful view of the hills around and the snowy peaks. There is also a zoo that delights children.

Local Transport
Local transport in Shimla is by bus or private vehicles. Buses ply frequently on the circular road surrounding the city center. Tourist taxis are also an option for out of town trips. Locals typically traverse the city on foot. Private vehicles are prohibited on the mall, ridge, and nearby markets.


How to Reach
Shimla is well-connected by road and rail. The National Highway NH-22 connects Shimla to the nearest big city of Chandigarh.

Shimla City Map



For more information, visit Himachal Pradesh Tourism Web Site

Labels: christ church, himachal pradesh, jakhu hill, kufri, local transport, shimla, shimla map, simla

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