Budget Report - focus on Rail Sector 2018-2019 of India

All Time High' Allocation For the Railway Sector Over INR 1.48 Lakh Crore ($ US 23.3bn) to be allocated to the Railways in the next Fiscal Year which is the highest in IR’s history .

Key Points :

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.

In this Union Budget, the government has made an all time high allocation to rail and road sectors.

The major focus of the Government has been on Strengthening the railway network and enhancing Railways’ carrying capacity.

Railways’ Capex for the year 2018-19 has been pegged at 1,48,528 crore.

A huge part of this Capex is devoted to capacity creation.

Focus on Railway Sector :

New Lines , Railway Track Doubling & Gauge Conversion :

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.

The government will spend as much as Rs 11,000 Crore to add tracks to Mumbai Local Train Network.

Maintenance of track infrastructure is being given special attention.

Over 3600 kms of track renewal is targeted during the current fiscal.

Railway Electrification :

There has been significant improvement in the achievement of Physical targets by Railways as well.

The government is moving fast towards optimal electrification of railway network. 4000 kilometers are targeted for commissioning during 2017-18.

Dedicated Freight Corridor :

Work on both Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors is in full swing. Rolling Stock.

Rolling Stock :

Modern trainsets (T-18 , T-20) with the latest state-of-the-art amenities and features are being designed at Integrated Coach Factory (ICF), Perambur. First such train-set will be commissioned during 2018-19.

During 2018-19 , Procurement will be done for :

12000 Wagons

5160 Coaches

700 Locomotives (approximately)

Safety In Railways :

The total expenditure planned on safety activities including Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) is Rs. 73,065 Cr.

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.

CCTVs will be provided at all stations and on trains to enhance security of passengers.

Railway Station Redevelopment :

Redevelopment of 600 major railway stations is being taken up .

All stations with more than 25000 footfalls will have escalators.

All railway stations and trains will be progressively provided with wi-fi.

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project :

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. Other Major Steps

Other Major Steps :

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.

Increasing use of technology like ‘‘Fog Safe’’ and ‘‘Train Protection and Warning System.

A decision has been taken to eliminate 4267 unmanned level crossings in the broad gauge network in the next two years.