Indian Railways are poised to embark on a massive and unprecedented plan for infrastructure development that is going to pump in more than rupees 8 lakh crore over the next four years. This ambitious plan is meant to modernize Indian Railways. It has to be remembered that India has the world’s largest rail network but it needs to be modernized in all aspects. Focus is on introducing high-speed rail connectivity, station redevelopment, and capacity augmentation across the country. We learn that the Railway Ministry is eyeing PPP funding besides drawing from the budgetary allocations for the ministry. Nearly thirteen countries have envisaged interest in investing in this mega programme and Railways have already signed Rs 97,636 crore deals with Japan.
Mumbai-Ahmadabad fast train has already begun its journey and the new plan envisages high speed train connectivity to all the state capitals. It is a fact that Indian Railways need modernization and upgrading so as to change entire complexion of their connectivity. Hundreds of railway stations have to be changed and converted into modern stations with a variety of facilities available to the passengers. Speed, facilities, comfort, expanded connectivity and frequency of service are among the elements that will be included in the project. As far as our State is concerned, the Railway Minister has been evincing special interest in rail connectivity. Jammu railway station needs to be modernized and made commodious to handle the large number of pilgrim tourists that visit the holy shrines of Mata Vaishno Devi and Shri Amarnath Shrine. By 2017, rail connectivity between Udhampur and Banihal is expected to be completed and with that Kashmir valley will be connected with the rest of the country.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel