Capital expenditure of Rlys. during 2014-19 more than double of total during 2009-14 : Goyal

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Minister for Railways & Coal Piyush Goyal on March 1, 2019, addressed the media on the five-years’ achievements of the ministries under his charge. Goyal released a booklet highlighting the achievements in the Railways and Coal Ministries in the past five years. Chairman, Railway Board, V K Yadav, other Railway Board Members, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Sumanta Chaudhuri, and Senior Officials of Railways and Coal were present on the occasion.

Goyal said, “There has been tremendous progress in last 5 years. Both, Ministry of Railways & Coal have taken up new projects at largescale and implemented them swiftly with an honest approach.” Applauding the vision and able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Goyal said that the vision and leadership defines the success of any organisation. He reiterated that the focused approach of the Government in last 5 years has materialised various projects for the benefit of Nation and  people.

Highlights of Achievements & Initiatives of Ministry of Railways: In the past five years, the Government has made safety the foremost priority of Indian Railways. Indian Railways has achieved its best ever safety record in 2018-19 – there has been 81% drop in number of deaths from 152 in 2013-14 to 29 this year (up to January 31, 2019). This is a result of holistic efforts. All Unmanned Level Crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge network have been eliminated. Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) fund of Rs 1 lakh crore has been created for safety expenditure.

Laying the foundations of infrastructure for a New India, there has been a quantum leap in capital expenditure. Total capital expenditure between 2014-19 is Rs 5.1 lakh crore which is more than double of total expenditure during 2009-14. Railways is connecting India at a faster pace with a 59% increase in the average pace of commissioning New Line / Doubling / 3rd & 4th line projects from 4.1 km during 2009-14 per day to 6.53 kms per day during 2014-18, Goyal said.

Aspirations of the people of North East were fulfilled with completion of 4.94 km long Bogibeel Bridge, longest rail-cum-road bridge in India. Now, journey from Itanagar to Dibrugarh is only 180 km reducing the travel time from 24 hrs to only 5 hrs

Commuter travel in urban India has been given sufficient attention. Bangalore Suburban System is being developed with ongoing projects worth more than Rs 15,700 crore. This will benefit about 15  lakh commuters. Mumbai Suburban Systems is also being modernised with ongoing projects worth more than Rs 70,000 crore, which will benefit about 75 lakh commuters.

India entered a new era of mobility with Vande Bharat Express – India’s first high-tech, energy-efficient, self-propelled train. This is a prime example of the success of Make in India movement. This train will be proliferated across India and also exported globally, Goyal said.

The Ahmedabad-Mumbai High-speed Rail (HSR) will revolutionise the transport sector in India through speed, safety and service. Railways is creating largescale employment and economic development through sanctioned projects in Latur, Maharashtra; New Bongaigaon, Assam; Lumding, Assam;  Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh and Sonipat, Haryana. Setting records for Indian Railways, Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, has successfully executed world’s 1st ever conversion of diesel locos into electric loco to enable Mission Electrification, he said. First section of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridors (Bhadan to Khurja, 200 km) and Western DFC (Rewari to Madar, 200 km) have been completed, Goyal said, according to a PIB release.

India’s first National Rail & Transportation Institute has been launched with 1st academic session started with two undergraduate programmes – B.Sc. in Transportation Technology & BBA in Transportation Management with 103 students.

Highlights of Achievements & Initiatives of Ministry of Coal: To ensure energy security, reduce imports and realise the vision of 24×7 Power for All, Coal India has enhanced drilling, production & offtake of coal. To boost the power sector, superior Coal Quality has been ensured with steps such as third party sampling procedures and 100% crushed coal to power plants. Brining the spirit of reform to coal sector, Commercial Coal Mining, the most ambitious reform in Coal Mining after Nationalisation in 1973 was introduced.