KEY HIGHLIGHTS

*    Unreserved ticket purchase made simpler through smart phones, debit cards

*    Introduction of 'Operation Five Minutes' to ensure that a passenger travelling unreserved can purchase a ticket within five minutes

*    Introduction of 17,000 bio-toilets in trains

*    Surveillance cameras on select mainline and ladies compartments

*    All India 24 X 7 helpline 138 from March 1; Toll free No.182 - for security complaints

*    All newly-manufactured coaches to be braille-ebled

*    Online booking for wheel chairs to be ebled

*    Wi-Fi facility to be extended to category B stations

*    SMS alerts to be introduced to inform passengers in advance about the updated arrival/ departure time of trains at starting or destition stations

*    New department to keep stations clean

*    Toilets at stations need improvement; 650 additiol toilets to be created in addition to 120 last year

*    Rs.120 crore provided for lifts and escalators to facilitate movement of passengers and goods

*    Collaboration with NIFT and NID for better bed rolls, inner coach designs

*    For the benefit of the soldiers, a Defence Travel System has been developed for elimition of warrants to make travel easier. This facility has been commissioned in 600 locations.

*    To expand water vending machines to most railway stations to ensure availability of clean drinking water at very low cost to people

*    The facility of self-operated lockers would also gradually be made available at stations

*    TTEs would be instructed to help senior citizens, pregnt women and differently-abled people in obtaining lower berths

*    Middle bay of coaches will be reserved for women and senior citizens for reasons of safety

*    Tickets can now be booked 120 days ahead of travel date, instead of 60 days now, to tackle tout mece.

*    IRCTC to provide concierge service

*    To introduce e-catering in 108 trains

*    To launch mobile app for complaints

*    To introduce onboard entertainment in Shatabdi trains

*    Mobile phone charging to be available in general coaches

*    To increase quota of lower berths for senior citizens

*     Centrally-maged display to be set up in 2,000 stations

*    SMS will be valid proof of ticket