Railways to Prioritize Safety with Record Budget

India's Railways will focus on safety-related activities in the 2024-25 budget, with a significant portion allocated for the installation of the automatic train-protection system, Kavach. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the record capital investment of Rs 2,62,200 crore and emphasized enhanced infrastructure and job creation.

Indian Railways is set to allocate a significant portion of its 2024-25 budget to safety-related activities, notably the installation of the Kavach automatic train-protection system, according to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who was commenting on the Union Budget. This record Rs 2,62,200-crore allocation marks a historic investment in railways.

Vaishnaw detailed that Rs 1,08,795 crore of the budget will be directed towards replacing old tracks, improving signaling systems, and constructing flyovers and underpasses, with Kavach’s installation being a top priority. Kavach 4.0, the upgraded version recently approved, will see rapid deployment.

Major strides have been made, including laying 4,275 km of optical fiber and installing other components such as telecom towers and track RFID devices. The minister also noted significant progress compared to past administrations, with record electrification and track construction rates.