Railways Prioritises General Coaches Over AC Coaches: Ashwini Vaishnaw

05 Dec 2024 CW Team

The Indian Railways is prioritising the addition of general coaches to its fleet over AC1, AC2, and AC3 coaches, with plans to introduce 1,000 new general coaches by the end of December, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Highlighting the Modi government's commitment to the welfare of the poor, Vaishnaw emphasised that the focus is on providing affordable travel options. "Efforts are directed at increasing the number of general coaches rather than AC coaches. By December, 1,000 general coaches will be added, and steps have been taken to produce 10,000 more general coaches," Vaishnaw stated during Question Hour. He also highlighted the ongoing redevelopment of 1,300 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, calling it the world's largest station modernisation initiative. The project aims to upgrade railway infrastructure, with some stations being rebuilt at costs ranging from Rs 7-8 billion, and others between Rs 1-2 billion. Once completed, the redevelopment will significantly enhance passenger facilities across the railway network, meeting public expectations. In response to questions from MPs in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Vaishnaw urged them to coordinate with their state governments to expedite land acquisition for pending railway projects. (ET)

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