Indian Railways, the world’s fourth-largest rail network, has been undergoing significant modernization to enhance passenger capacity and safety. Here’s an overview of its current capacity and the latest budgetary developments:
Passenger Capacity & Expansion Plans
- Current Capacity: Indian Railways operates over 68,000 route kilometers, with a daily ridership exceeding 23 million passengers.
- Future Expansion: To meet the growing demand, the government plans to introduce 200 new Vande Bharat trains and 3,000 additional trains over the next five years. This initiative aims to increase annual passenger capacity from 800 crore to 1,000 crore.
- Modernization Efforts: The introduction of Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains, along with the development of 35 hydrogen fuel cell-based trains for heritage hill routes, are part of the modernization strategy.
Budget Allocation & Investments
- FY 2024-25 Allocation: The Union Budget allocated ₹2.55 lakh crore to Indian Railways, marking a 5% increase from the previous year.
- Safety Initiatives: Over 40% of this budget, approximately ₹1.08 lakh crore, is earmarked for safety enhancements, including the rollout of Kavach 4.0, an indigenously developed anti-collision system.
- Capital Expenditure: The total capital expenditure for FY 2024-25 is ₹2.65 lakh crore, which includes ₹2.52 lakh crore from general revenues, ₹200 crore from the Nirbhaya Fund, ₹3,000 crore from internal resources, and ₹10,000 crore from extra-budgetary resources.
- Revenue Targets: Passenger revenue is projected to reach ₹80,000 crore, while freight revenue is targeted at ₹1,74,500 crore for FY 2024-25.
Infrastructure & Development Highlights
- Track Expansion: The pace of track laying has increased from 4 km per day in 2014-15 to 14.54 km per day in 2023-24.
- Electrification: 41,655 route kilometers have been electrified from 2014 to 2024, compared to 21,413 route kilometers before 2014.
- Station Modernization: The Amrit Bharat Station scheme aims to redevelop 1,309 railway stations across the country to enhance passenger amenities.
These initiatives reflect Indian Railways’ commitment to modernizing its infrastructure, enhancing passenger experience, and ensuring safety across its vast network.
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