Railways' Green Shift: Boosting Capacity and Sustainability

The Economic Survey 2023-24 emphasizes the focus areas for Railways, including capacity augmentation, modernization, and energy efficiency. Key investments include high-speed rail, rolling stock, and dedicated freight corridors. Railways is targeting reduced carbon footprints through renewable energy, expecting 30 GW of renewable capacity by 2029-30.

The Economic Survey 2023-24 spotlights Railways' focus on capacity augmentation, modernization of rolling stock, and enhanced energy efficiency. Investments are being prioritized in high-speed rail, dedicated freight corridors, and modern passenger services such as Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat Express.

Railways is also planning projects for major corridors like High-traffic density, Energy, Mineral and Cement, and the Rail Sagar corridors. These projects aim to cut down logistics costs and reduce the carbon footprint.

Efforts to source energy from renewable sources are underway, with a target of 30 Giga Watts of renewable capacity by 2029-30. Strategies include transitioning from diesel to electric traction and promoting energy efficiency. As per plans, by March 2024, 231 MW of solar and 103 MW of wind power plants will be commissioned, with additional 5,750 MW of renewable capacity in the pipeline.