Railways to invest in infra

The Indian Railways targets towards augmenting rail infrastructure, earmarking investment of `856,000 crore between 2015-16 and 2019-20.

• Network decongestion and expansion, and safety comprise 60 per cent share of the overall capital expenditure. The capital investment on infrastructure creation is expected to sustain at high levels on the back of long-term financing via Life Insurance Corporation of India, funding by multilateral agencies, and building relationships and partnering with the private sector.
• Over the last three years, 33 per cent of the total capital investment was towards construction of new lines, track renewal works, gauge conversion and safety works. Likewise, broad gauge line and electrification projects gather momentum. The commissioning of both in the last three years almost doubled, from 1,500 km during 2008-09 to 2013-14 to 3,000 km in 2016-17 for broad gauge, and 1,100 km to 2,000 km for electrification.
• For 2017-18, the planned expenditure is 18 per cent higher than 2016-17 capital expenditure at `131,000 crore. While broad gauge commissioning target for 2017-18 is 25 per cent higher than the previous year, the targets for electrification is double at 4,000 km.
• The Indian Railways is working towards increasing the speed of trains by removing level crossings, reducing permanent speed restrictions and replacing loco-hauled commuter trains. The efforts are also being put towards improving customer experience by way of improved facilities inside trains.