Reforming Railways
From Infrastructure to Innovation: How Indian Railways have fortified in last 9 Years
India is rapidly investing in infrastructure. In the 2023-24 budget, the Indian government allocated ₹10 lakh crore (US$130 billion) for infrastructure development, which is three times the amount spent in 2019-20. This investment is being made in a wide range of sectors, including roads, railways, airports, ports, power, and telecommunications.
This investment is helping India to leapfrog other countries in terms of infrastructure development. For example, India is now building the world’s longest railway bridge, the Chenab Bridge, which will connect Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country. India is also building the world’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge, which will connect Katra and Reasi in Jammu and Kashmir.
In addition to these major infrastructure projects, India is also investing in smaller projects that will improve the lives of millions of people. For example, India is building toilets in rural areas, providing clean water to villages, and expanding broadband internet access.
This investment in infrastructure is helping India to become a more prosperous and connected country. It is also helping India to become a global leader in infrastructure development.
Chenab Bridge: India’s Longest Railway Bridge
The Chenab Bridge is a railway bridge over the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. The length of this railway bridge is 1.315 kilometers (0.816 mi) and built by the Indian Railways at a cost of ₹2,860 crore (US$380 million).
The Chenab Bridge was inaugurated in August 2023. Once it gets functioning, it will be the highest railway bridge in the world, with a height of 359 meters (1,178 ft) above the Chenab River. A decade ago, Kashmir was highlighted due to militant attacks but today it transformed and is on the global map for a railway bridge which is 29 metres taller than the height of the Eiffel tower.
The Chenab Bridge is a vital infrastructure project for India. It will help to improve connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country. The bridge will also reduce travel time between Jammu and Kashmir and will help to boost economic development in the region.The Chenab Bridge will help to reduce travel time between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India by up to 12 hours.
India’s Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said in the press release that “The iconic Chenab Bridge is example of such new chapters and dimensions of development materialised by the inspiring leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister.”
Anji Khad Bridge: India’s First Cable-Stayed Rail Bridge
The Anji Khad Bridge is India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge under construction in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the first cable-stayed railway bridge in India. The bridge is being built by the Indian Railways at a cost of ₹1,000 crore (US$130 million).
The Anji Khad Bridge is a vital infrastructure project for India. It will help to improve connectivity between Katra and Reasi, two important pilgrimage towns in Jammu and Kashmir. The bridge will also reduce travel time between Katra and Reasi and will help to boost economic development in the region.
The Anji Khad Bridge is expected to be completed in 2024. Once it is completed, it will be the second-highest railway bridge in the world, with a height of 331 meters (1,150 ft) above the Anji Khad River. The Anji Khad Bridge will help to reduce travel time between Katra and Reasi by up to 3 hours.
“Since coming to power, Modi increased the budget of less than $100 million for the USBRL project by a factor of six to accelerate the bridge’s completion after years of delays”, Said Ashwini Vaishnaw
India’s Longest Railway Platform
The title of World’s longest railway platform is taken by the Hubballi Junction railway platform in Karnata. The platform no. 8 is 1,507 meters (4,944 ft) long, making it the longest railway platform in the world.
The Hubballi Junction railway platform is being built to improve connectivity in the region. The platform will be able to accommodate 300 coaches and will help to reduce congestion on the Hubballi-Dharwad railway network. The platform will also be able to handle high-speed trains, which will further improve connectivity in the region. Two trains in each direction can be simultaneously started on this platform.
The construction of the Hubballi Junction railway platform is a major infrastructure project for India. The platform will help to boost economic development in the region and will improve the lives of millions of people.The platform is being built at a cost of ₹20.1 crore (US$2.6 million) by the South Western Railway (SWR) zone of the Indian Railways. It is being built on a triangular plot of land, which will allow for more trains to be accommodated. The platform will be equipped with modern facilities, including passenger amenities, lighting, and security systems.
The Hubballi Junction railway platform is a major milestone for Indian Railways. The platform will help to improve connectivity, reduce congestion, and boost economic development in the region. It is a testament to the Indian government’s commitment to infrastructure development.
Kolkata’s First Underwater Tunnel
The East Kolkata Wetlands Underwater Tunnel is an underwater tunnel in Kolkata, India. It is be the first underwater tunnel in India to be built under a wetland. The tunnel is built at a cost of ₹1,200 crore (US$150 million). It is built 32 metres from the ground surface and 12 metres below the bed of Hoogly and considered as an engineering marvel in new India’s amrit kaal. The German-made TBMs named Prerna and Rachna finished the task in a record 66 days.
The East Kolkata Wetlands Underwater Tunnel will help to improve connectivity between the eastern and western parts of Kolkata as the travel time between Howrah and Sealdah can be reduced to 40 minutes compared to 1.5 hours by road. The tunnel will also help to reduce traffic congestion on the Kolkata roads. The East Kolkata Wetlands Underwater Tunnel is expected to be functioning by the end of 2023 for which the trial run has been started in April 2023. Once it is completed, it will be a major infrastructure milestone for Kolkata.
These are just a few of the major infrastructure projects that are currently underway in India. These projects are essential for improving connectivity, reducing traffic congestion, and boosting economic development. They will also help to improve the lives of millions of people in India.
The Chenab Bridge, Anji Khad Bridge, India’s longest railway platform, and Kolkata’s first underwater tunnel are just a few of the major infrastructure projects that are currently underway in India. These projects will help to improve connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and boost economic development. They will also help to improve the lives of millions of people in India in its amrit kaal.
India plans to invest a total of $1.5 trillion in infrastructure development by 2025. This investment will be used to build new roads, railways, airports, ports, power plants, and telecommunications networks.The investment in infrastructure is expected to boost economic growth in India. It is also expected to create millions of jobs and improve the lives of millions of people.
Author : Vaidyanathan Iyer
Author Description : Vaidyanathan Iyer is a marketing professional with 5 years of experience in the domain and currently is working as a marketing strategist in a MNC in Bangalore. He completed his engineering from Navrachana University & then pursued his MBA in Strategic Communications from MICA. He is passionate about contributing towards policy and research. He is also an active proponent in analyzing the projects of the government and how it impacts the last person it intends to reach.
Disclaimer : The views, thoughts, or opinions expressed in this blogs belong solely to the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of author’s employer, organisation, committee or any other group or individual.
