February 4, 2021
With a total plan capex of US$ 30 bn this year, US$ 14.7 bn is allocated for capital expenditure in the general budget.
This aims to develop infrastructure, development of terminals, signalling systems, improvement of user amenities.
US$ 978.6 million has been allocated for the 14,000 Roads over Bridges and Roads under Bridges, across the country.
Reduction in logistic costs is absolutely imperative and is the essence of India’s Make in India strategy.
In a paradigm shift the Indian Railways will facilitate and focus on not only on the quick completion of existing projects, but also on the commencement of new projects. Encouraging the national transporter’s focus on infrastructure projects such as building double track railway lines, switching from one track gauge to another, and new lines the Union Budget 2021-22 has provided incentives to develop infrastructure and facilitate throughput enhancement, development of terminal facilities, augmentation of speed of trains, signalling systems, improvement of passenger and user amenities. Other than these major projects, Indian Railways is set to complete more than 1,200 road over bridges (ROBs), road under bridges (RUBs) and subways this year. These ROBs/RUBs are of vital importance for public in cities and other areas where railway lines are passing through,” it said. Currently, there are 14,000 ROBs and RUBs in the country.
With a total plan capex of US$ 30 bn this year, US$ 14.7 bn for capital expenditure in the general budget, Indian Railways has identified 56 projects across the country to be completed over a period of 26 months. As far as new megaprojects are concerned, US$ 5.62 bn has been allocated for New Lines, US$ 3.6 bn for Doubling, US$ 723.2 mn for Traffic Facilities & US$ 978.6 mn for ROBs/RUBs. Traffic Facilities have seen a 156% increase in allocation while New Lines have got 52% jump as compared to the previous year.
The thrust of Annual Plan 2021-22 is on infrastructure development, throughput enhancement, development of terminal facilities, augmentation of speed of trains, signalling systems, improvement of passengers/users’ amenities, safety works of road over/under bridges etc. This year’s budget is also focussing on the commissioning of the Eastern and Western Corridors for which the Indian Railways will also go for monetisation of the dedicated freight corridor assets. The eastern and western dedicated freight corridors are expected to be complete by June 2022. Reduction in logistic costs is absolutely pertinent and at the epicenter of India’s Make in India strategy.