PM launches 2,000 railway infra projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently launched more than 2,000 railway infrastructure projects worth about ₹41,000 crore.

Details of Projects

The Prime Minister laid the foundation for 554 station redevelopment projects under the ‘Amrit Bharat’ station scheme, a government initiative to revamp key railway stations across the country, across 27 States.
He also laid the foundation stone for 1,500 road over bridge and under-passes. He inaugurated Gomtinagar station in Uttar Pradesh. The station redevelopment took place at an estimated cost of ₹385 crore.
The 553 station redevelopment projects are expected to cost nearly ₹19,000 crore; while other infrastructure projects including the construction of flyovers and underpasses would be at an estimated cost of ₹21,520 crore.

5000 kms to be added

Union Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw pointed out that 5,000 km of new tracks will be added in FY24, in addition to the 31,000 km that have been added in last 10 years.
From track additions coming at a rate of 4 kilometres a day in 2004-14, the current additions have gone up to 15 kilometres a day.
The Minister also said that nearly 41,000 km of tracks have been electrified and the station redevelopment projects are expected to be completed over a 3 year period.

What is ‘Amrit Bharat’ station scheme?

The Amrit Bharat Station scheme has a long-term vision for the development of stations, to enhance various station facilities including station accessibility, waiting areas, toilet facilities, lift and escalator installations as needed, cleanliness, offering free Wi-Fi, setting up kiosks for local products through initiatives like ‘One Station One Product’, enhancing passenger information systems, establishing Executive Lounges, designating spaces for business meetings, incorporating landscaping, and catering.
The scheme currently intends to upgrade and modernize a total of 1275 stations across the Indian Railway system.
It emphasizes upgrading station structures, integrating stations with the surrounding city areas on both sides, promoting multimodal connectivity, providing facilities for individuals with disabilities, implementing sustainable and eco-friendly solutions, introducing ballast less tracks, incorporating ‘Roof Plazas’ etc.

Category: Government Schemes Current Affairs