Railways? earnings to exceed Rs 1 lakh crore

Indian Railways? earnings are set to exceed the Rupees one lakh crore mark for the first time.

Stating this in her Railway Budget speech, Minister of Railways, Mamata Banerjee informed the Lok Sabha that on the basis of freight traffic projection of 993 million tones and passenger growth of 6.4% over 2010-11, the Gross Traffic Receipts are estimated at Rs. 1,06,239 crore assuming a clearance of Rs. 200 crore from traffic suspense.

Presenting the Railway Budget for 2011-12, the Minister said that Ordinary Working Expenses have been assessed at Rs. 73,650 crore.

This represents an increase of 9.9% over Revised Estimates of 2010-11 to cater for annual increments of salaries, DA, higher requirement for fuel and materials for increased level of activity and lease payments.

The appropriation to Pension Fund is placed at Rs. 15,800 crore and to Depreciation Reserve Fund at Rs. 7,000 crore. Thus, as per the Railway Budget for 2011-12, Total Working Expenses are placed at Rs. 96,450 crore.

A provision of Rs. 6,735 crore has been made for dividend payment leaving an ?Excess? of Rs. 5,258 crore to be utilized for Development Fund and Capital Fund.

The Railway Minister said that as per the Budget Estimates for 2011-12, the expected Operating Ratio is 91.1%.