(GIST OF YOJANA) Budget for the Railways  [MARCH-2018]

(GIST OF YOJANA) Budget for the Railways

 [MARCH-2018]

Budget for the Railways

In keeping with the Government's focus on strengthening the Railways network in the country the General Budget 2018-19 has enhanced the allocation for the Ministry. Railways‘ Capex for the year 201849 has been pegged at Rs.l.48,528 crore. A large part of this will be devoted to capacity creation. 18,000 kilometers of doubling, third and fourth line works and 5000 kilometers of gauge conversion would augment capacity and transform almost the entire network into Broad Gauge 4000 kilometers of railway network are to be commissioned for electrification during 2017-18.

12000 wagons, 5160 coaches and approximately 700 locomotives are being procured during 2018-19, and the work on Eastern and Western dedicated Freight Corridors is on going. A major programme has been initiated to strengthen infrastructure at the Goods sheds and fast track commissioning of private sidings.

The Finance Minister assured that adequate funds will be available under Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh. Over 3600 kms of track renewal is targeted during 201849. There will be increasing use of technology like “Fog Safe” and “Train Protection and Warning System”. 4267 unmanned level crossings in the broad gauge network will be eliminated in the next two years.

Modem train-sets with the state-of-the-art amenities and features are being designed at Integrated Coach Factory, Perambur. The first such train-set will be commissioned during 2018-19. Redevelopment of 600 major railway stations is being taken up by Indian Railway Station Development Co. Ltd. All stations with more than 25000 footfalls will have escalators. All railway stations and trains will be progressively provided with wi-fi. CCTVs will be provided at all stations and on trains to enhance security of passengers.

The Finance Minister has informed that 90 kilometers of double line tracks are being added to Mumbai’s transport system at a cost of over Rs.11,000 crore. 150 kilometers of additional suburban network is being planned at a cost of over Rs.40,000 crore, including elevated corridors on some sections. In Bengaluru, a suburban network of approximately 160 kilometers at an estimated cost of Rs.17,000 crore is being planned to cater to the growth of the metropolis.

Foundation for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, India’s first high speed rail project was laid on September 14, 2017. An Institute is coming up at Vadodara to train manpower required for high speed rail projects.

Conclusion

The Finance Minister at the start of his budget speech indicated that India needed investments over Rs 50 trillion in infrastructure to “increase growth of GDP, connect and integrate the nation with a network of roads, airports, railways, ports and inland waterways and to provide good quality services”. He declared that the government was committed to this and would ensure the required investment.
The challenge is not so much in the allocation of funds as in strategizing appropriately and ensuring timely implementation.

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Courtesy: Yojana