136 Vande Bharat Trains Transforming Indian Railways

31 Dec 2024 CW Team

Indian Railways has made significant strides in its transformation in 2024, marking a milestone with 136 Vande Bharat trains now operational across the network. These semi-high-speed trains, which embody India’s aspirations for modern and comfortable travel, reflect the Railways' commitment to world-class service, technological innovation, and national progress.

In 2024 alone, 62 new Vande Bharat services were introduced. The trains feature state-of-the-art amenities, including Kavach safety technology, 360-degree rotating seats, accessible toilets for Divyangjan, and Braille signages.

Additionally, Indian Railways electrified 3,210 km of rail track, extending the electrification of the broad gauge network to 97%. The ‘Amrit Bharat Station Scheme’ has identified 1,337 stations for redevelopment, with work underway in 1,198 stations.

Indian Railways is also working towards its target of becoming a Net Zero Carbon emitter by 2030, commissioning 487 MW of solar and 103 MW of wind power plants. The total capital expenditure for 2024-25 has reached Rs 2,65,200 crore, the highest allocation in the budget.

E-ticketing has increased significantly, with the reserved sector reaching 86% and unreserved sector growth from 28% to 33%. To enhance cargo services, 354 locations have been identified for Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals, with 91 commissioned by October 2024.

Furthermore, three new Economic Corridors—Energy, Mineral and Cement; High Traffic Density Routes; and Rail Sagar—have been sanctioned, with 58 projects worth Rs 88,875 crore already approved for 2024.

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