Indian Railways Sets Course for Global Excellence with Unprecedented Transformations
New Delhi, India – In a bid to revolutionize the country’s rail infrastructure, the Indian Railways has announced an ambitious blueprint titled “Indian Railways Action Plan 2047,” aiming to propel the network into a league of global excellence. Spearheaded by the vision of a ‘Developed India, Developed Rail,’ this comprehensive plan envisions the operation of 4,500 high-speed and semi-high-speed trains akin to the acclaimed Vande Bharat Express, alongside the redevelopment of over 1,400 railway stations to mirror airport-like facilities.
Officials have revealed that the action plan focuses on three primary pillars: enhancing train speeds, fortifying safety measures, and upgrading passenger amenities. Notably, the Vande Bharat Express will soon introduce sleeper services, with plans to elevate operating speeds to a remarkable 160-320 km/h in the near future.
Allocating a staggering budget of 12 lakh crore rupees, the initiative prioritizes track modernization along the nation’s key trunk routes, namely Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. This overhaul aims to streamline traffic flow and usher in the era of high-speed travel across the Indian Railways network.
In a significant move towards ensuring passenger safety, collision avoidance technology, dubbed ‘Kavach,’ is being deployed on critical corridors such as Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata, with expansion plans to cover other vital routes in the pipeline. Moreover, the upcoming fiscal year is set to witness the introduction of 50 Amrit Bharat Trains, poised to bolster the railway’s capacity to ferry a staggering 1000 crore passengers annually.
Underscoring the commitment to bolstering freight transportation, the Indian Railways aims to escalate its share to 45% by 2047, aiming to curtail the predominant reliance on road transport, which currently stands at 71%.
The cornerstone of this transformative agenda lies in the redevelopment of railway stations, with plans to metamorphose 1,400 stations into hubs of world-class infrastructure and cleanliness, akin to airports. This monumental endeavor signifies a paradigm shift in passenger experience and marks a pivotal step towards realizing the vision of a globally competitive Indian Railways.
As the Indian Railways charts its trajectory towards 2047, it embarks on a transformative journey characterized by innovation, efficiency, and a steadfast commitment to excellence. With each milestone achieved, the nation draws closer to witnessing the dawn of a new era in rail transportation, one that resonates with the aspirations of a burgeoning economy poised for global leadership.
Key Initiatives Details
- Operation of 4,500 High-Speed and Semi-High-Speed Trains By 2047, including the Vande Bharat Express.
- Redevelopment of Over 1,400 Railway Stations To provide excellent passenger amenities.
- Introduction of Sleeper Services in Vande Bharat Express Expected to start by next month.
- Speed Enhancement of Vande Bharat Trains to 160-320 km/h For phased implementation across the network.
- 12 Lakh Crore Rupees Provision for Upgradation For track upgradation on trunk routes (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai).
- Installation of Collision Avoidance Technology ‘Kavach’ On Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata, with plans to extend further.
- Launch of 50 Amrit Bharat Trains in 2024-25 Enhancing the capacity to transport 1000 crore passengers annually.
- Railway’s Freight Traffic Share Increase to 45% by 2047 Aiming to reduce reliance on road transport, which currently stands at 71% for freight.
