Indian Railways Achieves 2024 Milestones in Innovation, Sustainability, and Passenger Services
Indian Railways has made remarkable strides in 2024, blending tradition with cutting-edge innovation to drive growth and sustainability across the country. The nation’s railway network, essential for economic development and public transport, has seen significant upgrades, new projects, and the introduction of advanced technologies. These efforts are in line with the government’s vision to transform the Indian Railways into a world-class transport system.
One of the standout achievements this year is the ongoing work under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. With the goal of redeveloping stations across the country, the initiative has made significant progress, with work commencing at 1,198 of the 1,337 identified stations. Notably, stations such as Rani Kamlapati and Gandhinagar Capital have already been revamped, offering modern amenities and improved infrastructure to cater to the growing number of passengers. This scheme is a part of Indian Railways’ broader station redevelopment plan, which aims to enhance the passenger experience and improve station facilities. Infrastructure upgrades are a cornerstone of Indian Railways’ 2024 initiatives. In total, 6,450 km of track has been renewed, with an additional 8,550 turnout renewals completed. Speed enhancements have also been a priority, with over 2,000 km of tracks now capable of handling speeds of 130 km/h, while another 7,200 km has been upgraded to 110 km/h. These upgrades are expected to significantly reduce travel time and improve efficiency, particularly on major freight and passenger routes.
Electrification efforts have been accelerated, with Indian Railways now having electrified 97% of its broad gauge network, covering 3,210 route kilometres in 2024 alone. The push for renewable energy is also in full swing, with the total renewable energy capacity now reaching 2,014 MW, supporting the Railways’ goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. Passenger services have seen a remarkable transformation with the introduction of 136 Vande Bharat Express trains and the first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail. These high-speed trains are designed to offer superior comfort and reduce travel time on critical routes. Additionally, the Amrit Bharat Trains initiative has introduced new non-AC sleeper and general class services, further enhancing connectivity and affordability.
On the freight front, Indian Railways has achieved a significant 3.86% increase in freight loading, handling 1,473 million tonnes from January to November 2024. The development of Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC), particularly the Eastern and Western corridors, has been a game changer for freight movement, supporting over 72,000 train runs. The Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals initiative has also made progress, with 91 terminals commissioned out of the planned 354. Safety has remained a top priority for Indian Railways in 2024. The Kavach safety system, designed to prevent train accidents, has been initiated for 10,000 locomotives, and more than 9,000 railway technicians have been trained in advanced safety protocols. Furthermore, the introduction of the Elephant Intrusion Detection System (EIDS) has helped reduce elephant-related accidents in sensitive regions, ensuring safer journeys for both passengers and wildlife.
Indian Railways’ commitment to innovation extends to technology integration as well. Digital VHF communication systems have been approved for loco pilots, ensuring better communication across the network. CCTV surveillance has been installed at 1,051 stations, with plans to extend this to all non-halt stations. Meanwhile, Wi-Fi has been made available at over 6,000 stations, further enhancing the travel experience. Looking ahead, Indian Railways’ ambitious plans for the Bullet Train Project, particularly the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, and the ongoing development of economic corridors underscore its commitment to modernising the nation’s transport infrastructure. These efforts, combined with a focus on safety, sustainability, and passenger-centric services, are shaping the future of Indian Railways as a global leader in railway transport.
In 2024, Indian Railways has made significant strides towards a more modern, efficient, and sustainable future, with key developments across infrastructure, safety, and passenger services. These initiatives not only cater to the demands of a growing nation but also reflect the government’s vision of a world-class transportation system.
