by NEW DELHI: Besides significant increase in budgetary allocation, the government is also likely to announce the introduction of more semi-high-speed trains that can run at 180-200 kmph on Golden Quadrilateral (GQ) routes in the Union Budget that will be presented on Tuesday.
Sources said, the government is set to announce more number of trainsets, similar to Vande Bharat-type trains, which would be the future of railways for passenger transportation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15 had announced the rolling out of 75 indigenously-developed Vande Bharat trains in 75 weeks. Another major focus of the budget would be on the roll stocks which include 6,500 alumnium coaches, 1,240 locomotives and about 35,000 wagons in a bid to completely makeover its fleet.
The proposals for bulk production of aluminum coaches, a gradual shift from steel-bodied LHB coaches to lightweight energy efficient ones, in the Railway Budget aims at meeting the twin goals of the national transporter — reduction in energy consumption and increase in loading of bauxite for aluminum plants.
The proposed plan for going full steam for production of about 6,500 aluminum coaches also envisages growth in freight with more bauxite loadings as well as reduction in power consumption for the lightweight energy efficient coaches. Like trainsets (Vande Bharat type trains) in the passenger sector, the railway ministry is also proposing to introduce EMU for freight operation with wagons, which will meet the requirement of small players. Officials said there would be announcements with the aim to reduce logistics cost in railways from 14% to 11%.
The proposed initiatives are likely to bring down the transport cost for cargo by 4%. Sources said the government would make some budgetary provision for promotion of new technologies.
Sources said, the government is set to announce more number of trainsets, similar to Vande Bharat-type trains, which would be the future of railways for passenger transportation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15 had announced the rolling out of 75 indigenously-developed Vande Bharat trains in 75 weeks. Another major focus of the budget would be on the roll stocks which include 6,500 alumnium coaches, 1,240 locomotives and about 35,000 wagons in a bid to completely makeover its fleet.
The proposals for bulk production of aluminum coaches, a gradual shift from steel-bodied LHB coaches to lightweight energy efficient ones, in the Railway Budget aims at meeting the twin goals of the national transporter — reduction in energy consumption and increase in loading of bauxite for aluminum plants.
The proposed plan for going full steam for production of about 6,500 aluminum coaches also envisages growth in freight with more bauxite loadings as well as reduction in power consumption for the lightweight energy efficient coaches. Like trainsets (Vande Bharat type trains) in the passenger sector, the railway ministry is also proposing to introduce EMU for freight operation with wagons, which will meet the requirement of small players. Officials said there would be announcements with the aim to reduce logistics cost in railways from 14% to 11%.
The proposed initiatives are likely to bring down the transport cost for cargo by 4%. Sources said the government would make some budgetary provision for promotion of new technologies.
