In a landmark move, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav announced today a staggering ₹2.62 lakh crore budget allocation for Indian Railways in the upcoming fiscal year. Highlighting a significant portion, ₹1.08 lakh crore has been earmarked exclusively for enhancing safety measures across the railway network.
“This record allocation underscores our commitment to bolstering railway safety,” Vaishnav declared. The funds will be utilized for critical initiatives including the replacement of aging tracks, upgrading signaling systems, and the swift implementation of the new ‘Kavach 4.0’ safety system.
The ‘Kavach 4.0’ system integrates cutting-edge technology comprising hardware, software, optical fibers, telecom towers, on-track systems, and centralized data management. This initiative aims to enhance operational safety and efficiency across the railway infrastructure, ensuring rapid deployment in light of recent tragic incidents.
The announcement comes in the wake of recent rail accidents in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, underscoring the urgency of these safety enhancements. Vaishnav reiterated the government’s commitment to modernizing railway infrastructure to prevent such incidents in the future.
Responding to the growing demand for general travel, Vaishnav disclosed plans to manufacture an additional 10,000 general coaches, supplementing the existing fleet to meet rising passenger needs nationwide.
Over the past decade, Indian Railways has significantly boosted employment opportunities, with five lakh jobs created, marking a 20% increase compared to the previous decade under the UPA government.
Looking ahead, Vaishnav highlighted ongoing and upcoming railway projects aimed at enhancing connectivity across the country, including transformative initiatives like Vande Metro, Vande Bharat, and Amrit Bharat.
With this substantial budget allocation, Indian Railways is poised to embark on a new era of growth and safety, reaffirming its role as the lifeline of the nation’s transportation infrastructure.
