The year 2024 marked significant advancements for Indian Railways, with a number of notable accomplishments. The introduction of 62 Vande Bharat train services across the country, the launch of four Amrit Bharat Express services, and the first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail between Ahmedabad and Bhuj were major highlights. In addition, the railway network saw the commissioning of 3433 km of rail lines and operationalizing key sections such as the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link and Kolkata Metro’s Esplanade-Howrah Maidan section. The completion of 6,450 km of track renewal and an increase in train speeds to 130 km/h also contributed to the progress.

Indian Railways: Focus on Infrastructure and Technological Enhancements

Indian Railways has also made strides in station redevelopment, with work underway on 1198 of 1337 selected stations. The introduction of Kavach 4.0, an upgraded automatic train protection system, and the recruitment of 5 lakh employees over the last decade were other key steps in modernizing the railway system. Further projects, such as the Vande Bharat sleeper trainset prototype and the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway line, demonstrate ongoing commitment to future development.

Safety and Operational Challenges

Despite significant progress, safety remained a major concern. Over 70 train derailments were reported, including several major accidents that resulted in fatalities. The Railway Board highlighted the urgent need for additional manpower to ensure safe operations and maintenance of increasing railway assets. Issues with inadequate staffing, particularly among safety frontline workers, were raised by various railway associations. The slow pace of implementing Kavach across the network was also a cause for concern.

Expediting Kavach implementation and improving Amrit Bharat Scheme

The Standing Committee on Railways emphasised the need to expedite Kavach implementation, while the Committee on Estimates recommended improvements in the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Experts, including Shailendra Kumar Goel, called for a more balanced approach to modernization that ensures the safety, affordability, and consistency of services, emphasizing that the core users should not be overlooked in the push for transformation.

(With PTI Inputs)