Title - 2016 yearend review for railways in providing passenger amenities and services

Railway ministry has issued Year End review of the railways highlighting passenger amenities and services it offered. Here is a quick highlight of Railways achievement in 2016 according to them:

• “Janani Sewa” announced under which facilities like Hot Milk, Hot Water and Baby Food items will be provided at stations and menu items for children on trains will also be available.
• Optional catering service in Rajdhani trains and in some Shatabdi trains.
• Enhanced Passenger Amenities and Executive Lounge at Agra Cantt.
• Personalised take away bedrolls service launched.
• Preference are now being given to local domicile holders for commercial license at Railway stations.
• New system of vacant berths allocation introduced after final charting to wayside stations. 10% rebate also offered on these vacant berths.
• More RAC berths to accommodate more passengers.
• Local Cuisines now available through E-Catering Services.
• Handing over of all catering units to IRCTC is being finalised; only license fee will be shared between Indian Railways and IRCTC in the ratio of 40:60.
• Retiring rooms and Dormitories will be handed over to IRCTC.
• Multipurpose stalls will finalised; policy making process is being finalised.
• In case of cancellation of trains, automated refund, without filing of TDR introduced last year.
• Provision of booking full berth/seat for children between 5 and 12 years of age introduced with payment of full fare.
• Facility of Online Change of Boarding Point Introduced for e-tickets.
• Compensation Rate Payable to Railway Accident Victims has been Doubled.
• Flexi fare system for Rajdhani/Duronto and Shatabdi trains introduced.
• Policy decision taken to provide sub quota of 33 % to women within reserved categories for the allotment in catering units.
• So far, 316 no. of escalators at 129 stations & 178 no. of lifts at 79 stations have been provided across Indian Railways.