New Delhi

Though there were very few geographical mentions in Union Railway Minister’s budget speech today, and there were no new trains, extention of trains, conversion etc projects declared, here are some paras of budget speech related to Gujarat.

Bullet train

“We will continue to pursue with vigour our special projects like High Speed Rail between MumbaiAhmadabad. The feasibility study for this is in advanced stage and report is expected by the mid of this year. Quick and appropriate action will be taken once the report is available with us. Regarding the other high speed routes on the diamond quadrilateral, studies are being commissioned.”

Resource Mobilisation

“We are launching a Coastal Connectivity Program this year where Railways in partnership with the concerned ports will deliver rail connectivity to Nargol, Chharra, Dighi, Rewas and Tuna. This programme is expected to mobilize investments of approximately Rs 2000 crore.”

“We propose to launch projects worth Rs 2500 crore through BOT/ Annuity route. These include Wardha- Nagpur 3rd line, Kazipet-Vijaywada 3rd line, Bhadrak –Nargundi 3rd line and Bhuj- Nalia Gauge Conversion.”

Improving train speed

“The speed of 9 railway corridors will be increased from the existing 110 and 130 kmph to 160 and 200 kmph respectively so that inter-metro journeys like Delhi-Kolkotta
and Delhi-Mumbai can be completed overnight. This will involve the upgradation of track including turnouts and rolling stock to higher standards as well as the adoption of improved methods of track recording, monitoring and maintenance. Page 29 of 53 The average speed of freight trains, both in empty and loaded conditions, will be enhanced. A policy of attaining speeds of 100 kmph for empty freight trains and 75 kmph for loaded trains is being put in place. In pursuit of the objective, to maximize loading in every train, the loading density on all major freight bearing routes of Indian Railways will be upgraded to 22.82 tonne axle loads.”

Tourism

“We are celebrating 100 years of the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India. IRCTC will work on promoting the Gandhi circuit to attract tourists to mark this occasion. To help farmers to learn about new farming and marketing techniques, IRCTC will work on Kisan Yatra, a special travel scheme.”

Railway Lines

Doubling of 116 km long railway lines of Vatva-Ahmedabad-Sabarmati and Surendranagar-Rajkot.

Survey of Ahmedabad-Mehsana, Morbi-Tankara-Rajkot, Umarpada-Nandurbar, Mandvi-Nrw Bhuj, Khambhat-Dhuvaran.

Survey for double line between Utran-Ankleshwar, Makarpura-Vadodara, Anand-Godhra.

Provisions for Gujarat are up by 86.35% at Rs. 1502 crore.

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