Rail Budget 2015 Live: Govt ups freight rates for cement, coal, urea, steel & LPG

1.14: Propose cashflows to fund Rs 17,739 cr in FY16 spending

1.14: FY16 gross budgetary support from government pegged at Rs 40,000 crore

1.11: To set up infra fund, holding company to raise long-term debt

1.10: Plan budget goes up 52 percent to rs 1.11 lakh crore for FY16

1.03: Wil decentralize and deregulate freight business operations.

1.02: To raise funds from pension, insurance and multilateral agencies. Will look to tie up with a PSU NBFC for long term debt from domestic & overseas sources 

1.00: To construct road overbridges for unmanned level crossings, install train collision avoidance systems

12.58: To spend Rs 6,581 crore on level crossing safety

12.50: Feasibility study for Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed services in advanced stage. Speed of 9 rail corridors to increase up to 160 km/hr

12.49: Will make wagon-leasing scheme attractive for private players

12.47: 750km of civil contracts and 1,300 km system Contracts will be awarded on DFC in FY16. Review of private freight terminal (PFT) schemes underway

12.46: Will seek pvt participation to develop feeded route for dedicated freight corridor (DFC)

12.45: Meghalaya and Barak Valley to get Rail connectivity

12.43: To increase track capacity by14 percent to 138,000 km

12.42: To spend Rs 96,182 crore on capacity expansion in FY16

12.41: To develop satellite railway stations in big cities. Surveillance cameras to for women's security

12.40: Senior citizens will be able to book wheelchairs online

12.38: To have wi-fi in all category A & B stations

12.35: Phone charging facilities will be provided in trains

12.34: Propose SMS alert services for train arrival, departure times

12.32: Passengers will be able to book food options from IRCTC website

12.31: For security-related calls, dial 182; for Railway helpline, dial 138

12.30: Passengers without reservations can book tickets in 5 minutes

12.29: In accordance to idea of  Clean India, propose to have toilets in 650 stations; replace 17000 toilets

12.27: No increase in passenger fares, says Prabhu

12.26: Envisage Rs 8.5 lakh cr investment over 5 years

12.25: Propose operating ratio of 88.5 percent for FY16 Vs 91.8 percent FY15

12.24: To partner with private sector to improve rolling stock fleet

12.22: Plan to increase track capacity by 14 percent to 138,000 km. A vision document 2030 will be released soon

12.20: Plan to increase annual passenger capacity to 30 m from 21 m. Will increase annual freight capacity to 1.5 billion from 1 billion.

12.18: Trains will become more punctual in next 5 years.The department will focus on improving speed of Railways. Major thrust will be on gauge conversion & electrification

12.17: Will increase investments in Railways to create more jobs.

12.14: Priority to improve capacity on high density networks.

12.12: Vicious cycle of under-investment must be put to end. Railways face chronic Under-investment in infrastructure. Rail facilities not improved much over last two decades. Invstment in Railways will have a multiplier effect on economy

12.10: Railways will play major role in development of country, says Prabhu

12.09: Suresh Prabhu begins speech. Thanks PM Narendra Modi.

12.00: Most rail stocks up ahead of Rail Budget. Sensex and Nifty in red.

11.43: Prabhu had hinted Railway Budget will provide direction for the whole year. In an interview earlier in the day, the minister said he intends to keep long-term interest of Railways and common man in mind

11.30: Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu arrives in Parliament to announce Railway Budget for the year 2015-16. Meanwhile, Parliament has been adjourned till 11.45 AM.