Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday said that 35,000 km of new railway tracks have been built and 46,000 km have been electrified over the last 11 years.
Speaking at the International Railway Equipment Exhibition (IREE), the minister said that around 40,000 new coaches have been manufactured during this period.
Calling the achievements “phenomenalt,he minister noted that the transformation of Indian Railways reflects the government’s long-term vision for modern, sustainable, and passenger-friendly transport.
On the bullet train project, Vaishnaw said that construction is moving at a very rapid pace, with 325 km already completed.
The minister also said India now operates 156 Vande Bharat services, 30 Amrit Bharat services, and 4 Namo Bharat services - all of which have become immensely popular among passengers.
Vaishnaw commended the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for organising the IREE and appreciated the participation of equipment manufacturers and railway organisations.
He also urged CII to think bigger and envision a global-scale railway exhibition that surpasses Germany’s InnoTrans.