<p>Focussing on passenger safety and carrying capacity, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday announced the largest-ever allocation of Rs 1.48 lakh crore capital expenditure for the Indian Railways in 2018-19.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Strengthening the railway network and enhancing Railways' carrying capacity has been a major focus of the government. Railways' capex for the year 2018-19 has been pegged at Rs 1,48,528 crore. A large part of it is devoted to capacity creation," the minister said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">In 2017-18 budget, the total capex of Railways was Rs 1,31,000 crore.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Modern train sets with state-of-the-art amenities and features are being designed at the Integrated Coach Factory, Perambur. The first such train set will be commissioned during 2018-19, he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Claiming significant improvement in achievement of physical targets by he Railways, a total 4,000 kilometres of electrification is targeted in the current fiscal.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The work on eastern and western dedicated freight corridors is in full swing. Adequate number of rolling stock - 12000 wagons, 5160 coaches and approximately 700 locomotives - are being procured during 2018-19.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The minister also announced a 'Safety First' policy, with allocation under the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh, also called safety fund, of Rs 73,065 crore for coming fiscal, against Rs 68,725 in 2017-18. Over 3,600 km of track renewal is targeted during the current fiscal.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Other major steps include increasing use of technology like 'Fog Safe' and 'Train Protection and Warning System'. A decision has been taken to eliminate 4,267 unmanned level crossings in the broad gauge network in the next two years.</p>.<p>Under passenger amenities, stations with 25,000 footfalls will have escalators. All railway stations and trains will be progressively provided with Wi-Fi. CCTVs will be provided at all stations and on trains to enhance security of passengers.</p>
<p>Focussing on passenger safety and carrying capacity, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday announced the largest-ever allocation of Rs 1.48 lakh crore capital expenditure for the Indian Railways in 2018-19.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Strengthening the railway network and enhancing Railways' carrying capacity has been a major focus of the government. Railways' capex for the year 2018-19 has been pegged at Rs 1,48,528 crore. A large part of it is devoted to capacity creation," the minister said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">In 2017-18 budget, the total capex of Railways was Rs 1,31,000 crore.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Modern train sets with state-of-the-art amenities and features are being designed at the Integrated Coach Factory, Perambur. The first such train set will be commissioned during 2018-19, he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Claiming significant improvement in achievement of physical targets by he Railways, a total 4,000 kilometres of electrification is targeted in the current fiscal.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The work on eastern and western dedicated freight corridors is in full swing. Adequate number of rolling stock - 12000 wagons, 5160 coaches and approximately 700 locomotives - are being procured during 2018-19.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The minister also announced a 'Safety First' policy, with allocation under the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh, also called safety fund, of Rs 73,065 crore for coming fiscal, against Rs 68,725 in 2017-18. Over 3,600 km of track renewal is targeted during the current fiscal.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Other major steps include increasing use of technology like 'Fog Safe' and 'Train Protection and Warning System'. A decision has been taken to eliminate 4,267 unmanned level crossings in the broad gauge network in the next two years.</p>.<p>Under passenger amenities, stations with 25,000 footfalls will have escalators. All railway stations and trains will be progressively provided with Wi-Fi. CCTVs will be provided at all stations and on trains to enhance security of passengers.</p>
