South Western Railway on fast track to deliver best services

Railway Infrastructure would need an investment of Rs 50 lakh crore between 2018-2030. It is proposed to use Public-Private Partnership to unleash faster development and completion of tracks, rolling stock manufacturing and delivery of passenger freight services.

Capex for 2019-20 has been pegged at Rs 1,60,176 crore, which is 20% higher than the previous year. Capex planned for 2019-20 is Rs 2536 crore for the South Western Railway (SWR).

Electrification of the entire BG network by 2021-22. Electrification of 7000 route km has been targeted in 2019-20. In SWR 466 route km is planned for electrification.

The target of new lines, gauge conversion and doubling/ tripling etc. for 2019-20 is 3,750 km against 3,596 km in 2018-19. In 2019-20 the SWR has achieved 227 km of doubling and 43 km of new line. It is proposed to double the railway track in 266 km in 2019-20 in South Western Railway. 28 Km of new line between Gangavathi and Karatagi is slated for commissioning in SWR in this financial year.

Fast tracking the construction of the two Dedicated Freight Corridors. The two DFCs are targeted to be completed in phases by 2021 out of which Khurja-Bhaupur section on Eastern DFC and the Rewari- Palanpur section on Western DFC targeted for completion this year (2019-20).

Completing the dedicated freight corridor project will free up some of the existing railway network for passenger trains.

Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project is progressing well and is targeted for completion by 2023.

Railways will be encouraged to invest more in suburban railways through Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) structures like Rapid Regional Transport System (RRTS) proposed on the Delhi-Meerut route. In this regard it is to mention that SPV constitution for Bengaluru suburban Railway is in advanced stage.

Continued focus on Safety

2018-19 has been the safest year in the history of Indian Railways. Elimination of Unmanned level crossings on Broad Gauge network has been achieved. SWR has turned Unmanned level crossing gate free in Oct.2018.

Railways is now planning to eliminate all 2,568 manned level crossings on Golden quadrilateral and golden diagonal routes in mission mode by constructing ROBs/RUBs.

In SWR also elimination of all manned LC gates is being taken up in phased manner. It is planned to construct 97 ROB/ RUBs. These routes carry 50-60% of passenger and freight traffic.

This will lead to not just easing railway movement but also road movement by ensuring safe, smooth and fast movement of vehicular traffic at level crossings.

Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system using a mix of proven European Train Control System (ETCS) and an indigenous developed system to enhance safety, create additional capacity and increase efficiency in train operations.

Enhancing passenger experience and security

Launch of a massive programme of railway station modernisation to make railway travel a pleasant and satisfying experience for the common citizen.

In SWR 3 stations i.e. Mysuru, Yesvantpur and Dharwad are planned for development this year.

The introduction of fully indigenous semi high-speed Train-18. Railway has planned to provide Wi-Fi at all stations excluding halt stations to improve rail travel experience and bridge the digital divide between the rural and urban citizens.

Till now this facility has been provided at 1,603 stations and balance 4,882 stations are targeted for provision by August 31, 2019 under the ambitious 100 days program of the Government. In SWR 153 stations have already been provided with Wi-Fi and it is proposed to provide Wi-Fi at 123 more stations by end of Aug.2019.

Railway has planned to provide CCTV based Surveillance System at all stations (excluding halt stations) and in trains by using state-of-the art video surveillance technology to enhance safety of passengers. CCTV Surveillance System at 455 railway stations have been provided and balance stations are targeted by 2020-21.

Similarly, 1,203 coaches were equipped with CCTV Surveillance System and balance passenger carrying coaches are targeted by 2021-22.

In SWR 4 stations have been provided with IP enabled CCTV Surveillance System and at 11 stations CCTV systems are working

Skilling Railways

Scheme of Integrated Skill Development will be launched where all 13 lakh employees of Railways will be given a foundational training.

This Programme will focus on 3Cs – The Customer, Cost and Work Culture. Those who demonstrate high learning agility and greater skill mastery at this level can be offered an Advanced Program in the same skill area.