Indian Railways, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance the country's railway infrastructure and services;
๐ค๏ธ Track Upgrades: Over 23,000 track kilometers of the Indian Railways network have been upgraded to support speeds up to 130 km/h. This major enhancement includes strengthening tracks, implementing advanced signalling systems ๐ฆ, and installing safety measures like strategic fencing ๐ง. This upgrade covers nearly one-fifth of India's railway network, significantly boosting efficiency and reliability.
๐ Golden Quadrilateral and Golden Diagonal Enhancements: The upgrades impact vital corridors like the Golden Quadrilateral and Golden Diagonal, which link major cities across India ๐ฎ๐ณ. These corridors are crucial for both passenger ๐งณ and freight traffic ๐, now accommodating higher speeds, which improves transit times and logistics.
๐น Financial Performance:
Revenue Growth ๐ฐ: There's been a 4% increase in revenue from April to December of the fiscal year 2024-25, with earnings from freight operations reaching โน1.26 lakh crore. Passenger segment earnings have also risen by 6%, totaling โน55,988 crores.
Capital Expenditure ๐: The capital expenditure was 2% higher than the previous year, amounting to โน1.92 lakh crore, emphasizing a continued investment in infrastructure development.
๐ Freight Efficiency: From January to November 2024, Indian Railways recorded a 3.86% increase in revenue-earning freight loading, totaling 1473.05 metric tonnes. This marks a robust improvement in the capacity and efficiency of freight services.
๐ Vande Bharat Express: The Vande Bharat Expressโa semi-high-speed train capable of reaching up to 160 km/hโsymbolizes the success of these infrastructure improvements, offering a faster, more comfortable, and premium travel experience.
๐ก๏ธ Safety and Service Improvements: Modernization efforts focus on both speed and safety. Implementing safety fencing along high-speed track sections and increasing specialized train services during peak demand (up by 54% from the previous year) are key aspects of these improvements.
๐ Future Outlook: These initiatives form part of a broader strategy to transform Indian Railways into a more reliable, efficient, and passenger-friendly service, contributing to economic growth and the faster movement of goods and passengers across the country.
This report reflects a significant push towards modernizing and enhancing the railway infrastructure in India, aiming to improve the overall travel experience and operational efficiencies while supporting economic growth.