Railway Budget 2015: 12 key takeaways for the common man

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu presented the Railway Budget for the 2015-16 financial year in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. Here are some of the key points the minister announced that aim to benefit passengers:

1. No increase in rail fare.
2. Advance ticket booking period increased from 60 days to 120 days.
3. 24X7 helpline for attending passenger problems and security-related complaints.
4. Surveillance cameras in coaches for the safety of women passengers.
5. Wi-fi in 400 stations.
6. E-catering to sell meals through IRCTC online.
7. More General class coaches to be added in identified trains.
8. New department for keeping stations and trains clean under Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
9. Speed of trains to go up by 20 per cent in next two years.
10. IRCTC to work on Kisan Yatra, a special scheme for farmers.
11. Hot buttons, coin vending machines for railway tickets.
12. Provision of Rs 120 crore for lifts and escalator.