Indian Railways Annual Progress Report 2023: A Year of Unprecedented Achievements

The year 2023 has marked a historic chapter in the annals of Indian Railways, as the organization continues its modernization journey. This comprehensive annual progress report encapsulates the remarkable strides made by Indian Railways on multiple fronts, showcasing advancements in freight loading, revenue generation, the introduction of Vande Bharat Express Trains, capital expenditure (capex) allocation, station redevelopment, Kavach implementation, track laying, and electrification.

Record Budget Allocation

In an unprecedented move, the Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) for the fiscal year 2023-24 has been increased to Rs. 2.4 Lakh Crore, signifying a 30-fold increase over 2004-05 and an 8-fold increase over 2013-14. This substantial budget allocation underscores the unwavering financial commitment to the advancement of railway infrastructure and services.

Record Freight & Passenger Revenue

Indian Railways has achieved record-breaking success in both freight and passenger domains. In FY 2022-23, the organization achieved an originating freight loading of 1512 MT, representing a growth of ~7% over the previous best of 1418 MT in FY 2021-22. The revenue from freight during this fiscal year amounted to Rs 1,60,158.48 Crores. Passenger patronage witnessed a remarkable surge, with the number of passengers reaching 623 Cr in FY 2022-23, an 80% increase compared to the previous fiscal year.

In the cumulative period from April to November 2023, Indian Railways achieved a freight loading of 1015.67 MT, an improvement of approximately 36.945 MT over the same period in the previous year. The revenue earned during this period amounted to Rs 110007.5 Crore, showcasing an improvement of approximately Rs 4102.445 Crore.

Record Electrification

The commitment to electrification is evident in the electrification of 21,801 KM of the broad gauge network until 2014. As of November 2023, the total electrified broad gauge network spans 60,814 km. Remarkably, 14 states and UTs, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh, boast 100% electrified rail tracks.

Record New Tracks

Over the past nine years (2014-23), Indian Railways has accomplished significant track laying work, with 25,871 RKM completed. In the year 2022-23 alone, an impressive 14 km of track was laid per day, with a target to achieve 16 km per day in the current year.

Record Rollout of Vande Bharat Train Service

A groundbreaking achievement in passenger services is the rollout of 35 Vande Bharat Express trains in one year, totaling 70 services. An additional six Vande Bharat trains are set to launch soon, contributing to a total of 82 services. These trains cover up to 247 districts and set a new standard in rail service, offering unique features and superior ride quality.

Features of Vande Bharat Trains

• Acceleration: Achieving speeds from 0 to 100 kmph in 52 seconds and reaching a max speed of 160 kmph in 130 seconds.
• Ventilation & Air Conditioning: Equipped with an indigenously developed Anti-Viral System, setting a new standard for passenger health.
• Ride Quality: Lightweight bogie with 40% reduced vertical/lateral acceleration than conventional LHB bogies.
• Safety Feature - KAVACH: Train Collision Avoidance System, preventing Signal Passing at Danger, head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, and automatic whistling at level crossing gates.

New Amrit Bharat Trains

Two new Amrit Bharat Trains, namely Darbhanga-Ayodhya-Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat Express and Malda Town-Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminus (Bengaluru) Amrit Bharat Express, are set to be launched. These LHB push-pull trains prioritize passenger comfort with improved facilities.

Record Amrit Bharat Stations

A total of 1,309 Amrit Bharat Stations have been identified across the nation, representing a significant step in modernizing passenger amenities and enhancing accessibility and inclusivity. Noteworthy redevelopments include Gandhinagar Capital Station, Rani Kamlapati Railway Station, and Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal.

Fast-Tracking Major Infrastructure Projects

Several critical infrastructure projects have witnessed accelerated progress, such as the Jiribam-Imphal new line, the world's highest pier bridge near Noney, the Chenab Bridge, the Kolkata Metro tunnel, and the Pamban Bridge nearing completion. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor has achieved significant milestones, including the completion of the first mountain tunnel near Zaroli Village in Valsad, Gujarat.

Green Initiatives

Indian Railways is committed to becoming a Net Zero Carbon Emitter by 2030. Initiatives include the use of energy-efficient technologies, the complete switch to three-phase electric locomotives, head-on generation (HOG) technology, LED lights, star-rated appliances, and extensive afforestation efforts. As of October 2023, approximately 211 MW of solar plants and 103 MW of wind power plants have been commissioned.

Swachhata Hi Sewa Campaign 2023

The Swachhata Hi Sewa Campaign in 2023 witnessed significant participation, with more than 2.14 lakh people engaging in around 1934 activities during the first 14 days. The campaign focused on environmental sustainability, waste disposal, and generating revenue through the disposal of office scrap.

One Station, One Product (OSOP) Outlets

A total of 1,250 OSOP outlets are now functional across 1,129 stations, promoting the 'Vocal for Local' vision. This scheme provides a market for local and indigenous products, creating additional income opportunities for marginalized sections of society.

Achievements by Production Units

Production units like Banaras Locomotive Works, Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, and ICF have achieved significant milestones, including the manufacture of the 10,000th electric locomotive and the 50th rake of Vande Bharat Express in 2023.

WiFi, CCTVs, and Foot Over Bridges

Over the past nine years, Indian Railways has made substantial progress in providing free and high-speed WiFi facilities, installing CCTV surveillance at 743 stations, and constructing 1,826 Foot Over Bridges, ensuring the safety and convenience of passengers.

Improved North East Connectivity

Railway projects in the North East have progressed swiftly, connecting all North Eastern states with rail except for Sikkim, where work is in progress. Northeast India's first semi-high-speed train was launched in May 2023, connecting Guwahati and New Jalpaiguri.

Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal & Bharat Gaurav Trains

The Gati Shakti Multimodal Cargo Terminal (GCT) policy, launched in December 2021, has seen the commissioning of 51 GCTs in 2023, with 80 more locations identified for development. Bharat Gaurav Trains, themed to showcase India's rich cultural heritage, have operated 156 trips on 26 tourist circuits, covering 90 tourist places.

Vistadome Coaches & Dedicated Freight Corridor Progress

Vistadome coaches offering panoramic views have been introduced on various tourist routes. The Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) is on its way to completion, with almost all of the Eastern DFC completed and the Western DFC about to finish. Approximately 90% of the total DFC has been commissioned.

Kavach Deployment for Enhanced Safety

Kavach, an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, has been deployed on 1465 km and 139 locomotives, covering critical routes. Contracts for Kavach implementation have been awarded for the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors, emphasizing Indian Railways' commitment to passenger safety.

Conclusion

The annual progress report for 2023 illustrates Indian Railways' commitment to modernization, safety, and sustainability. The achievements across diverse sectors underscore the organization's dedication to providing efficient, innovative, and passenger-centric rail services, contributing significantly to the nation's progress.