Budget 22 | Article
What The Budget 2018 Says ?
1 . India needs massive investments estimated to be in excess of Rs 50 Lakh Crore 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 to our people .
2 . In this Union Budget , the government has made an all time high allocation to rail and road sectors .
3 . The major focus of the Government has been on Strengthening the railway network and enhancing Railways ’ carrying capacity .
New Lines , Railway Track Doubling & Gauge Conversion
1 . 18,000 Kms of doubling , third and fourth line works and 5000 kms of gauge conversion would eliminate capacity constraints and transform almost entire network into Broad gauge .
2 . The government will spend as much as Rs 11,000 Crore to add tracks to Mumbai Local Train Network .
3 . Maintenance of track infrastructure is being given special attention .
4 . Over 3600 kms of track renewal is targeted during the current fiscal .
Railway Electrification
1 . There has been significant improvement in the achievement of Physical targets by Railways as well .
2 . The government is moving fast towards optimal electrification of railway network . 4000 kilometers are targeted for commissioning during 2017-18
Dedicated Freight Corridor
1 . Work on both Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors is in full swing . Rolling Stock .
Rolling Stock
1 . Modern trainsets with state-of-the-art amenities and features are being designed at Integrated Coach Factory , Perambur . First such train-set will be commissioned during 2018-19 .
2 . During 2018-19 , Procurement will be done for
• 12000 Wagons
• 5160 Coaches
• 700 Locomotives ( approximately ) Safety In Railways
1 . The total expenditure planned on safety activities including Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh ( RRSK ) is Rs . 73,065 Cr .
2 . Besides the elimination of Unmanned Railway Crossings on all busy routes and shift to production of safer LHB coaches , there is focus on track renewal with the highest ever outlay ever .
3 . CCTVs will be provided at all stations and on trains to enhance security of passengers . Railway Station Redevelopment
Railway Station Redevelopment
1 . Redevelopment of 600 major railway stations is being taken up .
2 . All stations with more than 25000 footfalls will have escalators .
3 . All railway stations and trains will be progressively provided with wi-fi .
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project
1 . Foundation for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project , India ’ s first high speed rail project was laid on September 14 , 2017 .
2 . An Institute is coming up at Vadodara to train manpower required for high speed rail projects . Other Major Steps
Other Major Steps
1 . 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 Bengaluru metropolis .
2 . Increasing use of technology like ‘‘ Fog Safe ’’ and ‘‘ Train Protection and Warning System .
3 . A decision has been taken to eliminate 4267 unmanned level crossings in the broad gauge network in the next two years . www . railanalysis . com