Rlys focussing on infra development, safety, says CRB

LUCKNOW: Chairman Railway Board (CRB) Vinod Kumar Yadav on Monday said infrastructure expansion and passenger safety would be the focus area for railways and efforts were on to make train journey safer and smoother.

“Vande Bharat Express is a glaring example. Efforts are being made to enhance the safety of train passengers,” Yadav said while talking to this correspondent onboard Vande Bharat Express on its inaugural day.

“In the last 50 years, rail traffic has increased by 16 times while infrastructure has grown by mere 30 per cent. We are making efforts to improve infrastructure,” he said.

“The 136-year-old rail route between Sitapur and Lucknow has been converted into broad gauge. In Purvanchal, doubling work and electrification of the rail track between Chhapra and Prayagraj is in progress. Similarly, the doubling work of track between Mau and Shahganj route has also been sanctioned. Satellite stations are also being

›

In the last 50 years, rail traffic has increased by 16 times while infrastructure has grown by mere 30 per cent. We are making efforts to improve infrastructure VINOD KUMAR YADAV, CRB

developed. Lucknow’s Gomti Nagar station is also being upgraded on a war footing,” he added.

“To ensure safe journey, anticollision devices are being installed in locomotives as well as on four prime routes. Around ₹77,000 crore has been sanctioned for the installation of anticollision devices that are expected to bring down train accidents,” he added.

Yadav said the devices had been tested successfully on 250-km route under the South Central Railway after which it would be installed on 1,250 km railway track in future.