IR formulates draft NRP

IR has formulated a draft National Rail Plan to augment its infrastructural capacity in a bid to increase its share in freight transportation from 27 per cent at present to 45 per cent by 2030. It is expected to lay out the future infrastructural, business and financing plans of IR. At present, it is being circulated among other ministries for their views. The finalised plan is expected to be prepared by January 2021. Further, it aims to accelerate the implementation of major projects by 2024. These include 100 per cent electrification, multi-tracking of congested routes, upgradation of speed to 160 kmph on the Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Mumbai routes, upgradation of speed to 130 kmph on all other Golden Quadrilateral-Golden Diagonal (GQ/GD) routes, and elimination of level crossings on all GQ/GD routes.