Indian Railways Investments Transforming Infrastructure

24 Sep 2024 CW Team

Indian Railways is undergoing a transformative journey, with projected investments of ?17.4 lakh crore from fiscal 2016 to 2025, reflecting a 12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). This positions the railways as a crucial element in India’s ambition to achieve a high-income economy.

Infrastructure Development Highlights:

Electrification: As of fiscal 2024, over 94% of the broad-gauge network is electrified. High-Speed Rail: The Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor is under construction at ?1.08 lakh crore, set to reduce travel time to just two hours at speeds up to 320 km/h. Dedicated Freight Corridor: Over 3,300 km is being developed to improve freight efficiency and relieve congestion on passenger lines. Track Doubling: Indian Railways has completed 15,861 km of track doubling since fiscal 2016, enhancing network capacity. Operational Advancements:

82 Vande Bharat and 8 Tejas Express trains are operational. 144 locomotives are equipped with Kavach, an indigenous automatic train protection system. Challenges and Revenue Diversification: Despite these advancements, the report notes the need for Indian Railways to diversify revenue sources, as budgetary allocations have increased only 2.8% this fiscal. Suggested strategies include:

Vicinity development around stations. Premium services for passengers. Data monetization to boost revenue. Future Plans: Indian Railways aims to:

Construct 100,000 km of new railway tracks in the next two decades. Expand Kavach to cover 44,000 km within five years. Produce 400 new Vande Bharat trains in three years. Station Modernization and Digital Innovations: The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme will redevelop 553 stations with a ?1 lakh crore budget. Enhancements will include improved waiting areas, digital ticketing, and green buildings. Free Wi-Fi has been installed at over 6,000 stations, alongside a next-generation e-ticketing system capable of processing 26,000 tickets per minute.

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