The Railway Budget 2024, presented as part of the Union Budget 2024-25, is set to bring significant changes and improvements to India’s railway infrastructure. With a record-breaking allocation of ₹1.08 lakh crore, the focus is on enhancing safety, modernizing infrastructure, and improving passenger experience.
Key Highlights and Expectations
Safety Enhancements: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized that the ₹1.08 lakh crore budget allocation will be primarily used to boost railway safety. This includes the implementation of the Kavach ‘4.0’ safety system, which was approved last week. Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system designed to prevent train collisions and ensure passenger safety. The minister also highlighted that 4,275 kilometers of optical fibers have been laid down under the Kavach systems across India.
Infrastructure Modernization: The budget aims to modernize railway infrastructure with the introduction of new trains, upgrading existing routes, and enhancing station facilities. The focus will be on expanding the Vande Bharat Express network, introducing Vande Metro and Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, and improving connectivity in underserved regions.
Passenger Experience: Enhancing passenger experience is another key focus area. This includes upgrading amenities at stations, introducing Wi-Fi facilities, and ensuring better cleanliness and hygiene standards. The budget also aims to reduce travel time and improve punctuality through better train scheduling and infrastructure upgrades.
Economic Impact: The increased budget allocation is expected to have a positive economic impact by creating jobs, boosting local industries, and improving logistics and supply chain efficiency. The modernization efforts will also contribute to the overall economic growth by enhancing connectivity and reducing transportation costs.
Environmental Sustainability: The Railway Budget 2024 also emphasizes environmental sustainability. This includes initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, increase the use of renewable energy, and promote green practices in railway operations.
In conclusion, the Railway Budget 2024 is poised to bring transformative changes to India’s railway sector, with a strong emphasis on safety, modernization, and passenger experience. The implementation of the Kavach ‘4.0’ safety system and the significant budget allocation reflect the government’s commitment to making Indian Railways safer and more efficient for all passengers.