The Indian parliament has given its approval to the Rail Budget 2013, which was presented by the Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal recently.

Bansal has promised that the railways will not increase fare or charges any further in the coming future. Bringing relief to the common man, no passenger fare hike has been included in the budget this year. However, the charges for superfast and tatkal tickets are expected to increase in trains across the country. About the increase, he said that the increase was due as it came after 12 years.

The Rail Budget 2013 was presented by the Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal in the Lok Sabha. The railways is planning to take up 22 new lines during the year and it will also introduce 67 new Express trains, 27 new passenger trains and also increase the distance travelled for 58 trains.

The railway will establish a new debt service fund to arrange for capital for its projects. There is target to build und balance to Rs. 30,000 crore till the 12th Plan. The budget figures showed that the railways achieved an operating ratio of 88.8 per cent. The dividend has been reduced from 5 to 4 per cent and electrification of 1,200 km is set to be completed this year.