New Delhi: Indian Railways has maintained steady progress in network expansion during FY24 while significantly increasing its rolling stock additions, according to the Economic Survey 2024-2025.
Between April and October 2024, the railways introduced 17 new pairs of Vande Bharat trains and produced 228 coaches, reinforcing its commitment to modernizing passenger services.
Infrastructure development remained a key focus, with the commissioning of 91 Gati Shakti multi-modal Cargo Terminals (GCTs) and approval for 234 more locations as of October 2024. Additionally, the railways are making strides toward net zero carbon emissions by 2029-30, with 375 MW of solar and 103 MW of wind power already commissioned.
To enhance freight efficiency, India has accelerated work on major economic corridors, identifying 434 projects valued at Rs 11.17 lakh crore. The Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) are also nearing completion, with 2,741 km—96.4 per cent of the planned network—already operational.
Public-private partnerships (PPP) continue to play a significant role, with 17 projects worth Rs 16,434 crore completed and eight projects worth Rs 16,614 crore ongoing. Among the marquee projects, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail has reached 47.17 per cent physical progress, with an expenditure of Rs 67,486 crore.
For passengers, the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is redeveloping 1,337 stations, with work initiated on 1,197 of them. The railways have also introduced Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras at stations to provide affordable medicines. Passenger amenities have improved, with train indication boards at 1,351 stations, coach guidance systems at 866 stations, and Wi-Fi availability at 6,112 stations.
The survey highlights advancements in railway signalling, including the elimination of mechanical signalling at 25 stations, the deployment of Kavach (India’s indigenous Automated Train Protection system) with Rs 1,547 crores invested, and the installation of electronic interlocking at 227 stations. The adoption of Automatic Block Signaling has enhanced high-density routes, covering 4,906 route kilometres.
Digitalization efforts have also progressed, with e-ticketing accounting for 86 per cent of reserved ticket bookings. In the unreserved sector, digital transactions have risen from 28 to 33 per cent within FY25. The Passenger Reservation System is being redeveloped with cloud-native technologies to improve scalability and security.
The railways are also focusing on tourism with Bharat Gaurav trains, which have conducted 325 trips, carrying 1.91 lakh tourists. These initiatives collectively underscore the modernization and sustainability efforts driving Indian Railways’ long-term growth.
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