Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is working towards redeveloping and strengthening the infrastructural sector across the country. The government has allotted Rs 10 lakh crore Capex investment in infrastructure for the financial year 2023-24. The move aims at ensuring a robust and leakage-free infrastructure overhaul.

Strengthening the connectivity across the country:-

The government is transforming the connectivity sector by introducing new trains such as Vande Bharat Express, Namo Bharat train etc. It also planned to give a facelift to railway stations across the country. The move signifies the development of railway stations at par with airports. The stations are being redeveloped under the Ministry of Railways’ Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS). 

  • Vande Bharat Express: Launched in 2019, the Vande Bharat Express is the country’s first indigenous-built semi-high speed train service. Since its inception, these new age trains are running with more than 100 percent occupancy. Currently, a total of 34 Vande Bharat Express trains are operating in the country. In the Union Budget 2023-24, the Ministry of Railways decided to increase the production of this ultra modern train. At present, the train is being manufactured at Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF). The national transporter will produce Vande Bharat Express trains at two more of its factories –  Rae Bareli-based Modern Coach Factory and Latur-based Marathwada Rail Coach Factory. 
  • Namo Bharat train: The Namo Bharat train was inaugurated by PM Modi on October 20, 2023. The train currently runs on the 17-km-long priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor. The RRTS is a new rail-based, semi-high-speed, high-frequency commuter transit system with a design speed of 180 kmph. It is a “transformational” regional development initiative, which is designed to provide high-speed trains for intercity commuting every 15 minutes, which can go up to a frequency of every five minutes according to requirement. 
  • Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: The Ministry of Railways is transforming 1309 stations across the country under its Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS).  The redevelopment projects follow the principle of “Virasat Bhi, Vikaas Bhi.” The scheme aims to develop the railway stations with modern amenities and sustainable solutions in the long run. 
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