New Delhi: With his eyes set on the target of Rs 20,000 crore surplus revenue by March 31, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad's 2007-08 Railway Budget is set to make some strategic changes.
Ministry sources said the Railways is thinking of a strategy to win over the masses by improving the various facilities, and modernising the railway stations in the country.
Lalu has asked individual zones to "identify and hire" architects to smarten up the design and look of the stations.
Planning to redesign 16 major railway stations to match world-class standards, work is expected to start during 2007-08.
The Railways is also actively considering a proposal to re-design the air-conditioned three-tier coaches for general trains and increase its passenger carrying capacity to bring additional revenue.
It has been decided that railways will join hands with the Ministry of Tourism to market major tourist destinations in the country through package deals.
Also the advance booking period for train tickets will be extended from present 60 days to 90 days, said the department.
Since the year 2007 is the inaugural year of the 11th five-year plan, Railways would be seeking Rs 75,000 crore budgetary support.
Out of the Rs 3,50,000 crore, which Rail Bhawan plans to spend over the next five years between 2007 and 2012, around Rs 1,50,000 crore is likely to be raised through public-private-partnership and another Rs one lakh crore through internal accruals, they said.
However, the big question remains whether the Railway Minister, opposed to hike in passenger fare, will affect changes in the next budget.
With PTI inputs
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