Railway’s Capex for the year 2018-19 Pegged at Rs.1,48,528 Crore

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Finance

01-February-2018 13:37 IST

Railway's Capex for the year 2018-19 Pegged at Rs.1,48,528 Crore

First modern train-sets to be commissioned during 2018-19

600 major railway stations to be redeveloped

Mumbai and Bengaluru rail networks being expanded

Institute in Vadodara to train Manpower for high speed Rail projects.

In keeping with the Government’s focus on strengthening the Railways network in the country the General Budget 2018-19 has enhanced the allocation for the Ministry. Presenting the Budget in the Parliament here today,  the Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Shri Arun Jaitley said that Railways’ Capex for the year 2018-19 has been pegged at Rs.1,48,528 crore.  A large part of this will be devoted to capacity creation.  18,000 kilometers of doubling, third and fourth line works and 5000 kilometers of gauge conversion would augment capacity and transform almost the entire network into Broad Gauge. Shri Jaitley also said that 4000 kilometers of railway network are to be commissioned for electrification during 2017-18.

The Finance Minister, Shri Jaitley announced that 12000 wagons, 5160 coaches and approximately 700 locomotives are being procured during 2018-19, and the work on Eastern and Western dedicated Freight Corridors is in full swing.  A major programme has been initiated to strengthen infrastructure at the Goods sheds and fast track commissioning of private sidings.

Shri  Jaitley has assured that adequate funds will be available under Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh. Over 3600 kms of track renewal is targeted during 2018-19. There will  be increasing use of technology like ‘‘Fog Safe’’ and ‘‘Train Protection and Warning System’’. 4267 unmanned level crossings in the broad gauge network will be eliminated in the next two years.

Modern train-sets with the 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. Redevelopment of 600 major railway stations is being taken up by Indian Railway Station Development Co. Ltd.  All stations with more than 25000 footfalls will have escalators.  All railway stations and trains will be progressively provided with wi-fi.  CCTVs will be provided at all stations and on trains to enhance security of passengers.

The Finance Minister has informed that 90 kilometers of double line tracks are being added to Mumbai’s transport system at a cost of over Rs.11,000 crore. 150 kilometers of additional suburban network is being planned at a cost of over Rs.40,000 crore, including elevated corridors on some sections. In Bengaluru, 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 metropolis.

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.

Indian Railways has over 16 per cent vacancies in safety category, says official data

Indian Railways has over 16 per cent vacancies in safety category, says official data

 From April 1 to November 30, a total of 49 consequential train accidents took place as compared to 104 in 2016-2017 and 107 in 2015-2016, according to the figures provided by the railways. (PTI)

While investment in safety-related activities in the railways has increased by 57 per cent during the last three years, 16 per cent of the posts remained vacant in the safety category as of April this year, according to official data. The category include posts related to inspection of tracks, signalling, engineering, telecommunication etc., for ensuring safety of the rail network. Capital investment in this category was Rs 9,925 crore in 2014-2015, it increased to Rs 11,133 crore in 2015-2016 and further rose to Rs 15,603 crore. However, over 2 lakh posts are lying vacant in various sections in the railways, with a majority of them in the Northern Zone of the network, according to the data made available by the national transporter. The Delhi-headquartered Northern Railways (NR) with 27,537 vacancies tops the list of rail zones, followed by Kolkata-headquartered Eastern Railway (19,942) and Central Railway (19,651) with its head office in Mumbai. In safety-related categories, vacancies against the sanctioned strength of Group C and D staff was 17.75 per cent in April 2014, 16.85 per cent in April 2015, 16.44 per cent in 2016 and 16.86 in April 2017. Despite the vacant posts in safety categories, the number of derailments decreased from 78 in 2016-2017 to 37 in the first eight months this year.

From April 1 to November 30, a total of 49 consequential train accidents took place as compared to 104 in 2016-2017 and 107 in 2015-2016, according to the figures provided by the railways.