The budget may propose rapid installation of Kavach, which has only been implemented on a small portion of the railway network. Kavach is an indigenously developed automatic train protection (ATP) system, which aids the loco pilot in train running within specified speed limits by automatic application of brakes in case loco pilot fails to do so and also help the train safely run during inclement weather.

Currently, it covers only 1,465 route kilometers and 121 locomotives in the South Central Railway zone. Recently, the railway ministry awarded Kavach contracts for Delhi- Mumbai (including Ahmedabad-Vadodara Section) & Delhi- Howrah (including Luknow—Kanpur Section) corridors (approximately 3000 route km) covering Eastern Railway, East Central Railway, North Central Railway, Northern Railway, West Central Railway & Western Railway.

Focus on freight loading

Given that the Indian Railways is focusing on maximising its freight potential, the budget may propose measures for improving freight loading and increasing revenue from this segment.

During FY23, Railways generated ₹1.6 lakh crore from freight revenue, while it achieved an originating freight loading of 1,512 metric tones (MT), an incremental loading of 94 MT over the previous best of 1,418 MT achieved in FY22 with a growth of 7%.

Green Initiatives

As the Indian Railway aims to become net zero carbon emitter by 2030, the budget may announce a new initiative to achieve this target.

In the recent past, Indian Railways has taken a number of initiatives to reduce its carbon emissions which include use of energy efficient technologies like completely switching over to production of three phase electric locomotives with regenerative features, use of head on generation (HOG) technology, use of LED lights in buildings and coaches, star rated appliances and afforestation.

As of October 2023, about 211 MW of solar plants (both on Rooftops and on land) and about 103 MW of Wind power plants have been commissioned. Further, about 2,150 MW of renewable capacity has also been tied up, as per government data.

New tracks

Laying new tracks is going to be a key focus area of the railway budget as Indian Railways plans to modernise its network and boost train speed. During 2004-14, 14,985 route kilometres (RKM) of rail track work was done whereas in the last 9 years (2014-23), 25,871 RKM of track laying work has been done. In the year 2022-23, per day 14 km track laid and this year’s target is to achieve 16 km per day track laying.

Fast tracking of major infra projects

The budget is also seen proposing budgetary allocation for fast tracking of major infrastructure projects.

As per railway ministry data, the work on Jiribam - Imphal new line (110.63 km) for connectivity with Manipur has achieved physical progress of 93%. While the world’s highest pier bridge with a pier height of 141 m being constructed over the valley of river Ijai near Noney is nearing completion, work on Chenab Bridge is nearing completion.

Meanwhile, for the development of Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail corridor, all civil contracts were awarded for Gujarat and Maharashtra. While 100% land acquisition has been completed in Gujarat, 115.8 km viaduct and 267 km of pier casting have been completed. Works on all 8 HSR Stations (Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Anand, Vadodara, Ahmedabad & Sabarmati) are under various stages of construction.

Amrit Bharat Express

Budget 2024: What’s in store for railway sector?