Railways plans to develop multi-modal transport hubs
- The Indian Railways will create mega railway terminals with multi-modal connectivity in aspirational cities with a population of more than 10 lakh across the country.
Key Highlights
- The programme is part of the infrastructure being developed for Prime Minister ‘Viksit Bharat’ initiative.
‘Enhancing experience’
- The Railway Ministry has also taken up enhancement of passenger experience on a mission mode and warned that any laxity on the part of its senior officers will not be tolerated.
- With the proliferation of Vande Bharata Express trains across the country, which are being projected as game changers
- The Railway Board has taken up the task of enhancing the travel experience of passengers through improved cleanliness of coaches and properly maintained amenities on railway premises.
Some facts about Indian Railways:
- Network: Indian Railways covers a distance of over 67,000 km and operates on more than 7,000 stations. It connects almost all parts of the country and transports millions of passengers and goods every day.
- Freight: Indian Railways carries over 3 million tonnes of freight every day, which is equivalent to moving the entire population of Mumbai every day. In a year, it transports more than 1 billion tonnes of freight.
- Revenue: Indian Railways is one of the largest revenue generators for the Indian government. In 2019-20, it generated a revenue of over INR 1.9 trillion (approximately USD 25 billion).
- Technology: Indian Railways has introduced several technological advancements in recent years, such as the use of GPS-based train tracking, online reservation system, and bio-toilets in trains.
- Heritage: Indian Railways has a rich heritage, with some of its trains and stations being over a century old. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Prelims Takeaway
- Indian Railways
- Viksit Bharat’ initiative