Indian Railways has announced an ambitious 100-day plan post-elections 2024, focusing on a slew of passenger-friendly measures and infrastructure development projects. According to government officials, the plan includes the introduction of a 24-hour ticket refund scheme, the launch of a comprehensive 'super App' for railway facilities, and the rollout of three economic corridors.
Under the new ticket refund scheme, passengers can expect refunds within 24 hours, a significant improvement over the current process which takes up to one week. The upcoming 'super App' will provide a one-stop solution for all railway-related services, including ticket booking, live train tracking, and food bookings on trains.
As part of the 100-day agenda, Indian Railways will also implement an insurance scheme for all rail passengers, known as the "PM Rail Yatri Bima Yojana". The modernization plan entails an investment of Rs 10 to 12 lakh crore over the next five years, aimed at transforming Railways with world-class facilities.
Vande Bharat trains, known for their speed and comfort, will be expanded across India in three categories: Vande metro for short routes, Vande chair car for medium routes, and Vande Sleeper for longer routes. Additionally, plans are underway to operationalize the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train by April 2029, with feasibility studies for three more bullet train projects in North, South, and East India.
Furthermore, Indian Railways is set to develop three economic corridors spanning over 40,000 kms, with an investment exceeding Rs 10 lakh crore. Over 1,300 railway stations will undergo modernization with private participation, offering world-class amenities such as shopping malls and airport-like waiting lounges.
Metro networks will witness expansion in more urban cities, with work already initiated in 20 urban centers. Moreover, high-frequency trains like the RAPID rail, including the Delhi-Meerut route, are in the pipeline for enhanced connectivity.
The announcement came during a meeting chaired by the cabinet secretary, where different ministries and departments presented their 100-day agenda after the formation of the new government. Indian Railways' comprehensive plan aims to revolutionize the passenger experience and modernize the country's railway infrastructure for the future.
