Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the need for the railways to accelerate the conversion of 40,000 normal rail bogies to Vande Bharat standards to improve passenger safety, convenience, and comfort.
During a review of the railways’ capital expenditure plan on Tuesday, the Finance Minister directed officials to implement the Kavach safety system in a phased manner, ensuring adherence to the allocated capital expenditure targets within the designated timeline.
Sitharaman urged railway officials to prioritize capacity enhancement, safety measures, and commuter convenience. This includes plans for doubling and electrifying existing tracks and laying new railway lines throughout India.
Railway officials reported that Kavach-related works are underway over 3,000 route kilometers on key sections including Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Mumbai. They highlighted the successful operationalization of Kavach Version 4.0 on the Kota-Sawai Madhopur section, achieving a remarkable pace of 54 kilometers per month.
In addition, officials updated the Finance Minister on three Economic Railway Corridors, revealing that 434 railway projects have been identified, covering a total of 40,900 kilometers with a cumulative investment plan of approximately Rs 11.2 lakh crore.
