FCC

Trains for Tomorrow with the Vande Bharat

2023-04-21

Few nations are truly said to be characterised by their railway systems and India's recent history cannot be separated from the growth of its enormous rail system. Railways are one of India's most distinctive features, from the jam-packed commuter trains in Mumbai to the express mail trains that resemble a metropolis on wheels and the latest entrant, the Vande Bharat trains. It is improbable that the nation would have grown into the economic superpower it is today without them. However, as the nation develops, there is growing demand on railways to keep up with the times and provide speedier travel and more freight capacity to support India's developing industries.

The Government has invested 35 per cent of GDP in infrastructure. And it is assumed that $ 1.5 trillion is needed to get our infrastructure at the level of other superpowers. This goes hand in hand with the agenda of ‘Make in India’ as good infrastructure is said to be the backbone of manufacturing.

Comprising 126,510 km of track in total, the Indian Railways (IR) network is the fourth largest in the world, operating 19,000 trains every day and serving almost 8,000 stations. Further, over 12,700 locomotives are available to haul 76,000 passenger coaches and almost 3 million freight wagons.

The Vande Bharat trainset is a momentous achievement in India's efforts to promote domestic manufacturing and achieve self-reliance. While there are challenges and limitations in realising the full potential, it is a step forward in India's journey towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.

CW speaks to experts to understand the future of Indian Railways and what is needed for a boost.