New Delhi: It is the continual endeavor of Indian Railways (IR) to take measures for modernization under various segments of infrastructure and services – coaches and passenger services, electric locomotives, diesel locomotives, electrification, signaling etc., of Railways. Some of the steps taken during the last three years for the same are as under :
- Proliferation of Linke Hofmann Busch(LHB) coaches, which are technologically superior, have better speed potential, aesthetics and safety features. The Production Units of IR would be producing only LHB coaches from the year 2018-19 onwards.
- Semi high speed Gatimaan Express between Delhi and Agra has been introduced in service and is running at a maximum speed of 160 Kmph.
- For the assistance of visually impaired travelers, Integrated Braille signages, i.e. signages superimposed with Braille scripts, are being provided in the newly manufactured coaches of IR. Retrofitment of the same in existing coaches has also been taken up in a phased manner.
- 473 escalators at 171 stations have been provided. Similarly, there is a massive expansion program for provision of lifts and provision has been made for 500 railway stations in Budget(2018-19).
- A procurement cum Maintenance Agreement(PCMA) has been signed with Madhepura Electric Locomotive Private Limited (MELPL), a Joint Venture Company, for setting up of electric locomotive manufacturing facility at Madhepura, Bihar for manufacturing/supplying 800 High Horse Power.
- During last three years (2015-18) total number of 91 Railways Electrification projects consisting of 16353 route kilometers at an estimated cost of `16725.50 crore have been included in Budget and pace of electrification has been increased from present average of 1441 RKM/Annum to 4000 RKM/Annum.
- A work for modernisation of signaling system at a total cost of 44 million Euros on Ghaziabad-Kanpur section of North Central Railway was undertaken through funding from KFW (Kreditanstalt Fur Wiederaufbau) Bank, Germany.
- As per Budget announcement(2015-16) of Hon’ble MR, Indian Railways shall provide 1000 Mega Watt(MW) solar power plants & 200 MW wind power plants by 2020. Till date, solar power plants of 33.14 MW have already been installed & various other initiatives in this direction are in progress. Similarly, 36.5 MW of wind power plants have been installed so far & other initiatives are in progress.
All Railway Stations, service buildings & residential quarters are being provided with energy efficient LED fittings replacing the existing inefficient electrical fittings. So far 6762 numbers of Railway stations have already been provided with 100% LED lighting.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
