Rs.7,297cr rails will save 15 cr of diesel liters/year
An initiative is underway to equip 10,000 locomotives with Kavach 4.0 technology, while over 9,000 technicians and engineers trained for its installation, Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, told media on 26 Nov in New Delhi.
A speed of 130 km/h and beyond is not feasible without Automatic Train Protection (ATP) systems like Kavach, the Minister pointed out https://www.conexpoconagg.com/.
Kavach 4.0 has been tested between Sawai Madhopur and Kota. The section is now operational with the latest version, approved on 16 July 2024 by Research Designs and Standard Organization (RDSO) of the Railways.
As of now, Kavach 4.0 has been installed over 1,000 km, with plans to extend it to the entire country within the next six years https://www.bseindia.com/.
The Minister also elaborated on the approximately Rs 7,927 crore rail projects, approved by the Cabinet with deadlines to be completed in four years https://www.nseindia.com/ .
The projects will result in incremental loading of 50 million tons of cargo and will save a total of 15 crore liters of diesel per year https://sbi.com.in/ .
“This underscores the Government’s commitment to sustainable development and economic growth through green and efficient infrastructure,” said Vaishnaw.
Vaishnaw gave details of the 375 km multi-tracking projects.
These include:
Jalgaon–Manmad 4th line (160 km), Bhusawal–Khandwa 3rd & 4th lines (131 km), and Prayagraj (Iradatganj)–Manikpur 3rd line (84 km) https://www.siemens.com/global/en.html.
He said the projects are part of a comprehensive strategy to improve container movement between Purvanchal and Mumbai, including Varanasi http://transport.bombardier.com.
A detailed survey extending to Varanasi was conducted to ensure the corridor caters to the needs of emerging industries. These projects will enhance the logistic capacity to this section.
This section will also work as a feeder section to Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC), helping to decongest cities and major railway stations while enhancing connectivity to key ports in Maharashtra, such as Jawaharlal Nehru Port Mumbai and the upcoming Vadhwan Port.
This connectivity will facilitate the seamless movement of both agricultural and industrial goods, thus strengthening the logistics ecosystem and supporting economic development.
He highlighted the success of the recently launched Shetkari Samridhi Rail from Deolali to Danapur, which has achieved 200% occupancy since its inception. This innovative train service, with 10 passenger coaches and 10 coaches dedicated to agricultural produce, was introduced based on suggestions from farmers in Nashik.
Many small-scale farmers expressed the need for a flexible transportation solution, as they are often unable to book an entire train.
The Shetkari Samridhi Rail allows farmers to transport varied quantities, from half a quintal of produce like onions or pomegranates to larger consignments such as 10 quintals of soybeans.
He further said that this train has been widely appreciated for its farmer-friendly approach, with positive feedback highlighting its popularity and utility.
Encouraged by its success, plans are underway to expand similar services to other regions, enabling more farmers to benefit from affordable and reliable transportation for their agricultural products. Fiinews.com
