India leads in rail electrification as network expands to 68,000 km

26 Aug 2024 CW Team

India is leading the charge in rail electrification, with the nation's rail network now extending to 68,000 km, according to Mukul Saran Mathur, Additional Member, Commercial, Ministry of Railways. Speaking at the ASSOCHAM National Conference in New Delhi, Mathur highlighted the significant role of the Indian railway system, which accommodates 20 million passengers daily and has recently operated over 5,000 special trains to assist migrant workers. The Vande Bharat trains were also recognised as a key ?flagship product? in India's ongoing rail modernisation efforts.

The Indian government has committed Rs 850 billion for railway expansion in the 2023-24 fiscal year. Among the improvements is a faster ticket refund process, now completed within one to two business days.

Deepak Sharma from ASSOCHAM emphasized that modernising the railways is central to India's vision of 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India), aiming to improve connectivity and drive economic growth. Additionally, Sanjay Bajpai from the National Council on Logistics and Warehousing highlighted the role of AI and machine learning in achieving 100% cargo visibility and last-mile connectivity through the Gati Shakti plan.

Animesh Gupta, Goldratt Research Labs underscored the need to increase rail freight share to 40% and reduce the environmental impact of railway operations. Manish Puri of ACTO and Moonish Ghuge, ABB India Ltd stressed the importance of modern safety measures and infrastructure to meet growing trade demands and ensure passenger safety.

The conference discussions emphasised the importance of transparency and reliability in implementing transformative technological solutions for India's railways.

(Financial express)

Real Estate

02 Apr 2026

Lulu Group Unit Fair Exports Buys Sunder Nagar Bungalow

Fair Exports, a subsidiary of Lulu Group, has purchased a bungalow in Sunder Nagar, New Delhi, for Rs 89.5 crore, equivalent to Rs 895 million (mn). The transaction was completed through a private sale and was reported by local media, and the reported sum converts the original figure into an easier comparator for investors. The acquisition highlights continued corporate interest in premium residential properties within central Delhi. The buyer is positioned to hold the asset as part of its portfolio. Sunder Nagar is a well established neighbourhood characterised by high end residences and prox..

Meta Renews Lease Of Office Units In Mumbai BKC At Rs Two Bn

Meta has renewed the lease of its commercial office units in Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai, agreeing a total rent in excess of Rs two billion (Rs two bn). The lease covers multiple office units occupied by the company in one of the city's prime commercial districts. The renewal underscores the continued attraction of BKC for large technology firms. The company has maintained a presence in the complex for several years, occupying contiguous floors across its units. The total rent was reported as exceeding Rs two billion at the time of renewal and will be expressed as Rs two bn in subsequent re..

Arvind SmartSpaces Signs First Redevelopment Project In Santacruz

Arvind SmartSpaces has signed its first redevelopment project in Santacruz in Mumbai, opening a new chapter in its urban housing strategy. The deal carries a revenue potential estimated at Rs three billion (bn), marking the company's initial entry into redevelopment in the city. The project is positioned to reinforce the firm's credibility in the redevelopment segment. Santacruz is a well established suburb that connects to central business districts and transport nodes. Redevelopment projects typically involve replacing older housing stock with modern residential structures while addressing c..