Indian Railways : Recent initiatives for modernisation and enhanced delivery to rail users.

Indian Railways have within available resources always endeavoured to usher in new technology for modernisation and enhanced delivery to rail users. Dedicated Freight Corridors for exclusive running of heavy haul freight trains, High Speed Trains Project, and Semi-High Speed project are recent initiatives taken in this direction.

Implementation of the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors project is making good progress with the award of nearly 1,100 km of civil construction contracts till now. During 2014-15, another 1,000 km of civil construction contracts are targeted, besides award of Systems contracts.

As agreed between Prime Ministers of India and Japan in May 2013, a joint Feasibility Study for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed corridor, co-financed by Indian Railways and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has started in December 2013, and will be completed in 18 months. For the same corridor, a Business Development study being undertaken by French Railways (SNCF) will be completed by April 2014. After the studies, Indian Railways will decide on further course of action and modalities for implementation of the project.

Besides the High Speed project, Indian Railways also intend to explore low cost options for raising speeds to 160-200 kmph on existing select routes like Delhi-Agra and Delhi-Chandigarh.

Courtesy : PIB