In a major step to boost India’s railway infrastructure and connectivity, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation for numerous railway projects worth over Rs 85,000 crores at the Dedicated Freight Corridor’s Operation Control Centre in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This historic investment in the railway sector was highlighted by the flagging off of 10 new Vande Bharat trains, showcasing the government’s dedication to modernising the rail network.
Image Credit (representational): MoR
More Details:
In a major boost to the Railway infrastructure and connectivity, the Prime Minister visited DFC’s Operation Control Centre in Ahmedabad to lay the foundation stone and dedicate a slew of railway projects worth over Rs. 85,000 crores.
Brief about the Projects:
PM laid the foundation stone of Railway Workshops, Loco Sheds, Pit lines/ Coaching Depots; Phaltan – Baramati New line; Electric Traction System upgradation work and dedicate to the Nation two new sections of Dedicated Freight Corridor between New Khurja to Sahnewal (401 Rkm) section of Eastern DFC and New Makarpura to New Gholvad section (244 Rkm) of Western DFC; Western DFC’s Operation Control Center (OCC), Ahmedabad.
Image Credit (representational): MoR
Vande Bharat Trains:
The flagging of ten new Vande Bharat trains are between Ahmedabad – Mumbai Central, Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam, Mysuru- Dr. MGR Central (Chennai), Patna- Lucknow, New Jalpaiguri-Patna, Puri-Visakhapatnam, Lucknow – Dehradun, Kalaburagi – Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru, Ranchi-Varanasi, Khajuraho- Delhi (Nizamuddin).
Image Credit (representational): South Central Railway
He also flagged off the extension of four Vande Bharat trains. Ahmedabad-Jamnagar Vande Bharat is being extended till Dwarka, Ajmer- Delhi Sarai Rohilla Vande Bharat is being extended till Chandigarh, Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat is being extended till Prayagraj and Thiruvananthapuram- Kasargod Vande Bharat is being extended till Mangaluru; and two new passenger trains between Asansol and Hatia & Tirupati and Kollam stations.
Image Credit (representational): DFCCIL
Freight and Cargo Enhancements:
- Flagged off freight trains on Dedicated Freight Corridor from various locations – New Khurja Jn., Sahnewal, New Rewari, New Kishangarh, New Gholvad, and New Makarpura.
- Dedicated the Nation to 50 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras at Railway Stations. These Jan Aushadi Kendras will offer affordable and quality generic medicines to the people.
- He also introduced 51 Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals to the Nation. These terminals will promote seamless movement of goods between different modes of transportation.
Safety and Operational Improvements:
- Implemented 1,045 km of Automatic Signalling across 80 sections, significantly boosting train operation safety and efficiency. Additionally, initiated digital control systems at 2,646 railway stations to augment operational safety and efficiency.
Image Credit (representational): North Central Railway
- Unveiled 35 Rail Coach Restaurants to the nation. The Rail coach restaurant aims to cater to the needs of passengers and the public apart from generating non-fare revenue for railways.
Enhancements in Passenger Experience and Non-Fare Revenue:
- Dedicated more than 1500 One Station One Product Stalls to the nation spread across the country. These stalls will promote local products and generate income for local artisans and businesses.
- Activated solar power at 975 stations/buildings, aligning with India’s renewable energy objectives and lowering the railway’s environmental impact.
Image Credit (representational): South Central Railway
- Various other projects like dedication of newly electrified sections, doubling/multi-tracking of tracks, developments of railways Goods sheds, Workshops, Loco Sheds, Pit lines/Coaching Depots, among others, was also done by the Prime Minister.
Conclusion:
These projects are a testament to the Government’s dedication to building a modern and robust railway network. This investment will not only improve connectivity but also boost economic growth and create new employment opportunities.
Source: PIB – Press Release | Featured Image Credit: MoR
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