Infrastructure
Railways To Eliminate 20,000 Level Crossings By 2047
- Gearing up for 2047, an ambitious rail plan is being finalised by the national transporter to make a quantum jump in terms of passenger and goods transportation with a world class infrastructure.
Railways to eliminate 20,000 level crossings. (Flickr)
Elimination of 20,000 level crossings, full digitalisation and automation of train operations, and all liabilities to be met from internal revenues by 2047 are the goals of Indian Railways to mark 100 years of Independence.
Besides, India also aspires to have more than five Hyperloop routes for passenger transportation and two Hyperports for cargo transportation connecting ports to hinterland, when the nation would be celebrating 100 years of freedom.
Gearing up for 2047, an ambitious rail plan is being finalised by the national transporter to make a quantum jump in terms of passenger and goods transportation with a world class infrastructure.
Presenting a rosy picture, the Railways is expected to manufacture semi-high speed and high-speed trains to boost indigenous production.
The Railways would deploy fare fixation to encourage privatisation to institutionalise regulatory authority with big thrust on non-fare revenue sources.
The Rail Development Authority is expected to be constituted as an independent regulator to facilitate policy regarding passenger and freight fare fixation to provide a level playing field to private players in the rail sector.
The Railways envisages a total number of passengers increase from the current eight billion to 20 billion in a year.
Aiming at a higher freight loading, the Railways has expected the modal share percentage to increase from 28 per cent to 45 per cent with upgradation of track infrastructure to handle 25 tonne axle load.
Focusing on faster travel, the Railways plans to have 300 kmph as maximum speed for passenger trains from the current 160 kmph. The freight train speed is also aimed to increase from 75 kmph to 150 kmph.
As a strategic initiative to achieve India’s vision for the Railways @India 2047, all equipment/components/spares of railway technology are to be procured through domestic sources under Make in India initiative.
The Railways would be upgraded with 100 per cent smart rolling stock, communication based train control system for passenger trains and all rail infrastructure under electronic/GPS surveillance and complete predictive maintenance.
Rail safety would be paramount and protected by AI/advanced systems to achieve zero-accident railway systems.
Eliminating all level crossings by replacing them with rail over bridge or rail under bridge would be a key factor in achieving the zero accident rate target.
In order to strengthen the ecosystem of value added services like branding, marketing and retailing, the Railways would provide end to end service.
After 25 years, the upgradation of the railway system is expected to improve financial health in 2047, with the operating ratio reaching 70 per cent from the existing 99 per cent.
According to the Railways, the 2047 plan is being finalised along with road, aviation, shipping and other sectors.
