In recent years, several key reforms and initiatives have been implemented to upgrade and modernise the railway network. These include a continued focus on capacity enhancement, decongestion of high-density networks, safety and sustainability measures, and improvements in passenger experience. Moreover, efforts are underway to expedite technology integration for upgrading rolling stock, tracks, stations, etc. In an interview with Indian Infrastructure, Anil Kumar Khandelwal, Member (Infrastructure), Railway Board, discusses the sector’s progress, network expansion targets and the ministry’s focus areas for the next few years. Excerpts…
How would you assess the progress in the railway sector over the past few years? What are some of the key milestones?
In fiscal year 2023-24, Indian Railways (IR) achieved significant milestones and implemented several initiatives aimed at enhancing its services, infrastructure and operational efficiency.
IR maintained its extraordinary pace of infrastructure development, building upon the exceptional achievements of the previous fiscal (2022-23). Throughout 2023-24, IR sustained this remarkable momentum, underscoring its commitment to expanding and modernising its infrastructure network. This ongoing emphasis on construction and electrification not only highlights the significant investment but also reinforces the railways’ critical role in driving economic growth, enhancing connectivity and serving millions of passengers nationwide.
What are the network expansion targets and timelines?
IR has developed an ambitious investment programme, primarily focused on enhancing network capacity and upgrading core assets such as tracks, overhead electrification, stations, signalling, rolling stock and locomotives. IR aims to double its network by 2047. IR is on track to develop infrastructure that aligns with the growing demand for the country’s economic development.
IR’s key targets include:
- Infrastructure development to handle freight of 6,000-7,000 million tonnes (mt) per year by 2047, a fourfold increase from the current 1,591 mt per year.
- A corridor approach for infrastructure augmentation: The three economic corridors — energy, mineral and cement — along with high traffic density routes (routes carrying 81 per cent cargo) and Rail Sagar (port connectivity) together comprise 434 projects. These projects have a total track length of around 40,900 km with an investment of Rs 11.17 trillion over 8-10 years. These corridors will bring in a transformative shift from a project-based approach to a programme-based approach in IR. It will provide connectivity for mines, ports, powerhouses and industries, and improve capacity across all high-density routes. These corridors are projected to enable IR to carry an additional freight capacity of about 1,300 mt against the loading of 1,591 mt achieved in 2023-24, thus increasing the modal share of railways from the current level of 27 per cent to 35 per cent. These corridors will serve a population of about 510 million, providing seamless rail connectivity from Jammu to Kanyakumari and Okha to Dibrugarh. The corridors will also cater to 2,178 mines and provide first mile rail connectivity to 29 unconnected ports. They are projected to play a key role in improving the country’s logistics efficiency, saving Rs 1.8 trillion per year in logistics costs and Rs 1.28 trillion per year in diesel costs while reducing CO2 emissions of 80.55 billion kg per year, which is equivalent to planting about 3.22 billion trees.
What are the various modernisation and sustainability initiatives and plans?
IR has been evolving and upgrading its technology in various ways, including the adoption of modern track structures and maintenance practices, electrification of railway tracks, automatic signalling across its entire network, deployment of intelligent signalling systems to improve safety and efficiency, and implementation of Kavach. The mechanisation of track inspection, monitoring, maintenance and relaying has been fast-tracked using the best available technology worldwide. The availability of track maintenance machines has more than doubled since 2014. Improved machine availability and the use of modern technology have resulted in improved track reliability.
- Development of indigenous technologies: The development of the Vande Bharat Express, which is a semi-high-speed train, is one of the notable achievements. It features cutting-edge technology designed and manufactured in India. The Vande Bharat Sleeper has recently been launched, and soon Vande Bharat Metros will be introduced.
- Ambitious network expansion: IR has set an ambitious target to almost double its railway network by 2047 and develop infrastructure in line with demand.
- Net zero carbon emission target: IR aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
What are some of the key challenges before you?
Some challenges and possible solutions for IR are:
- Modal share of railways: India’s current rail modal share is 27 per cent. Most developed countries have a high rail modal share of 35-50 per cent, which, in turn, optimises the logistics cost of the gross domestic product. IR proposes to increase its modal share from 27 per cent to 35 per cent by FY 2031 and 45 per cent by FY 2047.
- Accessibility and reach of the rail network: Railway has historically played a key role in India’s social, economic and urban development. Systematic investment in unconnected regions will provide accessibility and enable socioeconomic development.
- Augmenting network capacity: An increment in rail network capacity is a stimulant to meet the inclusive goal of becoming a developed nation. The proposed economic corridors will enable much-needed network capacity expansion, which aligns with our aim to be future-ready. This is critical for meeting the projected growth in freight, facilitating a modal shift to railways and reducing travel time for passengers.
- Promoting environment-friendly transportation: Rail transport is nine times more environment friendly than road transport. As per a NITI Aayog report, the CO2 emissions from the railways is 11.5 grams per tonne km (gm/ton-km), as compared to 101 gm/ton-km for road. A modal shift to rail will reduce the country’s diesel consumption.
- Attaining SDGs: The railways play an important role in advancing many of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), directly contributing to the achievement of “No Poverty” by ensuring access to essential goods and services for all members of society, which is critical for poverty alleviation. Further, railway connectivity to extended areas will create more employment opportunities, boost local industrial infrastructure, etc.
What will be your top priorities and focus areas for the next one to two years?
IR aims to provide modern infrastructure in line with demand by making substantial progress in three economic corridors – Energy, Mineral and Cement; high density network routes; and Rail Sagar. To fast-track the sanctioning and monitoring of projects, IR has already established the multi-disciplinary Gati Shakti Directorate, comprising six departments under one umbrella within the Railway Board.
In addition, IR has set a target for 100 per cent electrification of its broad-gauge network by 2024-25.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, about 1,324 stations have been selected for development so far. Work is already underway at 1,155 stations, and the remaining 169 stations are at the master planning stage. About 800 stations will be developed over the next couple of years.
One of our country’s most ambitious projects, called the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), which is aimed at connecting the Kashmir valley with rest of India by railway network, is nearing completion.
Several other infrastructure upgradation/development works, such as modernisation and upgrading of existing infrastructure, and adoption of new technologies, are in progress.
In conclusion, the development of railway infrastructure is crucial for India’s economic growth, social development and environmental sustainability. It will help enhance the passenger experience and satisfaction, increase freight capacity and efficiency, contribute to economic growth and development, create jobs and stimulate local economies, reduce the environmental impact, and promote sustainability. The government, industry stakeholders and the public must work together to prioritise railway infrastructure development and create a robust, efficient and sustainable railway network, in line with demand.
