NDA vs UPA: Indian Railways on Right Track?
Total Views |
Railways Growth Series: (This is the first infopack in the Railways Growth Series, focusing on the expansion of the railway network)
In the past decade, Indian Railways has undergone a historic transformation, emerging as a symbol of India’s rapid modernization and infrastructural prowess. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the rail network has not just expanded—it has been revolutionized. From electrification and track doubling to high-speed rail projects and record-breaking construction of new railway lines, the progress has been nothing short of extraordinary.
The numbers speak for themselves: running track kilometres have grown at double the pace compared to previous governments, route kilometre expansion has been streamlined, and electrification has surged by an astonishing 180%. This relentless drive has propelled Indian Railways into a new era of efficiency, sustainability, and global competitiveness.
This decade has proven that railway modernization is not just about adding new lines; it’s about creating a smarter, faster, and greener network that fuels economic growth and enhances connectivity across the nation. Let’s dive into the incredible strides Indian Railways has made under the Modi government and how this infrastructural revolution is shaping the future of India.
Have you ever wondered why railway track expansion often does not mean new routes? The key lies in the difference between Route Kilometres and Running Track Kilometres. The route kilometre represents the total length of railway lines between stations, whereas the running track kilometre accounts for multiple tracks laid along the same path to enhance capacity and efficiency.
Running Track Kilometres
As mentioned earlier, running track kilometres witnessed a 21% increase between 2014 and 2024. In comparison, the growth from 2000-01 to 2013-14 was only 10%, highlighting an 11% higher growth under the NDA government compared to the UPA era. As of 2023-24, the total running track kilometres stands at 109,748 km.
Route kilometre
Similarly, route kilometres recorded a 5% increase between 2014 and 2024, compared to a 4% growth from 2000-01 to 2013-14, indicating a slight improvement under the NDA government compared to the UPA era. As of 2023-24, the total route kilometres is 69,181 km.
This indicates that while railway expansion is often associated with laying new lines, the real transformation lies in the growth of RTKM rather than just RKM. Over the decades, the Modi government has focused more on modernising and expanding existing tracks rather than simply laying new routes.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted this expansion in Parliament, stating that over 34,000 km of new railway tracks have been constructed in the past decade—exceeding the total railway network of Germany.
Electrification
Indian Railways’ Mission 100% Electrification is a game-changer for India's energy sector and transportation system. Initially driven by the goal of reducing crude oil imports and saving foreign exchange, railway electrification has evolved into a key pillar of environmental sustainability. Electric traction offers higher speeds, greater efficiency, and improved service quality, benefiting both passenger and freight transport. More importantly, it aligns with India's vision of a clean, green, and modern railway network, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
While electrification has been a steady process since independence, the past decade has seen an unprecedented transformation. The NDA government’s Mission 100% Electrification has accelerated progress, resulting in a 180.1% increase in electrified route kilometers between 2014-24—rising from 22,224 km to 62,253 km. In contrast, during the UPA era (2000-14), electrification grew by only 45.5%, from 14,856 km to 21,614 km. This stark difference underscores the NDA government’s aggressive push towards energy-efficient railways, drastically outpacing previous efforts. By electrifying the majority of railway routes, India is not only enhancing speed and operational efficiency but also paving the way for a sustainable and eco-friendly future, positioning Indian Railways as a global leader in green transportation.
The NDA government has also driven an unparalleled expansion in railway infrastructure, significantly accelerating the pace of new line construction, track renewal, and track doubling.
These figures highlight the government's aggressive focus on railway modernization, ensuring enhanced capacity, improved efficiency, and greater connectivity across the country. This surge in railway expansion not only strengthens India's transportation backbone but also supports economic growth and mobility on an unprecedented scale.
In the past decade, Indian Railways has undergone a historic transformation, emerging as a symbol of India’s rapid modernization and infrastructural prowess. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the rail network has not just expanded—it has been revolutionized. From electrification and track doubling to high-speed rail projects and record-breaking construction of new railway lines, the progress has been nothing short of extraordinary.
The numbers speak for themselves: running track kilometres have grown at double the pace compared to previous governments, route kilometre expansion has been streamlined, and electrification has surged by an astonishing 180%. This relentless drive has propelled Indian Railways into a new era of efficiency, sustainability, and global competitiveness.
This decade has proven that railway modernization is not just about adding new lines; it’s about creating a smarter, faster, and greener network that fuels economic growth and enhances connectivity across the nation. Let’s dive into the incredible strides Indian Railways has made under the Modi government and how this infrastructural revolution is shaping the future of India.
Have you ever wondered why railway track expansion often does not mean new routes? The key lies in the difference between Route Kilometres and Running Track Kilometres. The route kilometre represents the total length of railway lines between stations, whereas the running track kilometre accounts for multiple tracks laid along the same path to enhance capacity and efficiency.
Running Track Kilometres
As mentioned earlier, running track kilometres witnessed a 21% increase between 2014 and 2024. In comparison, the growth from 2000-01 to 2013-14 was only 10%, highlighting an 11% higher growth under the NDA government compared to the UPA era. As of 2023-24, the total running track kilometres stands at 109,748 km.
Route kilometre
Similarly, route kilometres recorded a 5% increase between 2014 and 2024, compared to a 4% growth from 2000-01 to 2013-14, indicating a slight improvement under the NDA government compared to the UPA era. As of 2023-24, the total route kilometres is 69,181 km.
This indicates that while railway expansion is often associated with laying new lines, the real transformation lies in the growth of RTKM rather than just RKM. Over the decades, the Modi government has focused more on modernising and expanding existing tracks rather than simply laying new routes.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted this expansion in Parliament, stating that over 34,000 km of new railway tracks have been constructed in the past decade—exceeding the total railway network of Germany.
Electrification
Indian Railways’ Mission 100% Electrification is a game-changer for India's energy sector and transportation system. Initially driven by the goal of reducing crude oil imports and saving foreign exchange, railway electrification has evolved into a key pillar of environmental sustainability. Electric traction offers higher speeds, greater efficiency, and improved service quality, benefiting both passenger and freight transport. More importantly, it aligns with India's vision of a clean, green, and modern railway network, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
While electrification has been a steady process since independence, the past decade has seen an unprecedented transformation. The NDA government’s Mission 100% Electrification has accelerated progress, resulting in a 180.1% increase in electrified route kilometers between 2014-24—rising from 22,224 km to 62,253 km. In contrast, during the UPA era (2000-14), electrification grew by only 45.5%, from 14,856 km to 21,614 km. This stark difference underscores the NDA government’s aggressive push towards energy-efficient railways, drastically outpacing previous efforts. By electrifying the majority of railway routes, India is not only enhancing speed and operational efficiency but also paving the way for a sustainable and eco-friendly future, positioning Indian Railways as a global leader in green transportation.
The NDA government has also driven an unparalleled expansion in railway infrastructure, significantly accelerating the pace of new line construction, track renewal, and track doubling.
- Between 2014-15 and 2023-24, the construction of new railway lines surged by an astounding 796.5%, rising from 313 km to 2,806 km.
- Track renewal also saw a substantial boost, growing by 145.5% from 2,424 km to 5,950 km.
- Similarly, the conversion of single-track lines to double lines witnessed a remarkable 218.3% increase, expanding from 705 km to 2,244 km.
These figures highlight the government's aggressive focus on railway modernization, ensuring enhanced capacity, improved efficiency, and greater connectivity across the country. This surge in railway expansion not only strengthens India's transportation backbone but also supports economic growth and mobility on an unprecedented scale.
Bharati Web
Related News
