New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Tuesday announced the Union Budget for the FY 2022-23. The Indian Railways, which has been majorly affected since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, has been given some respite with increased expenditure.
Sitharaman said 400 Vande Bharat trains will be manufactured and start operating in the next three years. "400 new generation Vande Bharat trains with better Energy Efficiency and passenger riding experience to be manufactured in next three years," she said.
In another major announcement, the finance minister said the government is bringing 'one product one railway station' scheme under which one product will be popularised for every railway station.
She also said 2,000 km of rail network would be brought under indigenous KAWACH technology for safety and capacity augmentation.
In order to ensure that the Vande Bharat trains on at least 75 routes across the country by August 15, 2023, the Railways is already in the process to install 44 new generation trainsets. In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the operation of 75 Vande Bharat trains that would connect various parts of the country.
In accordance with Amrit Kaal under the Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative, the finance minister presented a blueprint for the next 25 years. Apart from rail connectivity, the Union Budget 2022-23 has focused on roads and waterways connectivity.
National highways will be expanded by 25,000 km in 2022-23, and 100 PM GatiShakti cargo terminals will be developed in the next three years, announced Sitharaman.