FM Sitharaman Urges Railways to Prioritize Safety

23 Sep 2024 CW Team

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reviewed the Railways Ministry's capital expenditure (capex) plans, emphasizing the need to prioritize the safety and convenience of commuters. She urged officials to expedite the implementation of the Kavach system, India's indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) technology, and to meet the allocated capex targets within the stipulated timeframe.

Officials from the Ministry of Railways informed Sitharaman that Kavach-related projects are underway across over 3,000 route kilometers on key corridors, including the Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Mumbai sections.

Highlighting the government's commitment to enhancing citizens' 'ease of living,' Sitharaman directed the Railways to focus on capacity augmentation. This includes the doubling and electrification of existing railway tracks and the construction of new lines, all aligned with the capex provisions outlined in the Union Budget.

Additionally, she called for the swift conversion of 40,000 standard rail bogies to Vande Bharat standards, a move designed to improve safety and passenger comfort.

Sitharaman reiterated the importance of achieving the capex targets for FY 2024-25 in a timely manner, building on the momentum established in the first 100 days of the current government. This meeting is part of a series of reviews with various ministries and departments responsible for significant capex allocations in the Union Budget.

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