Vinod Bhat
New Delhi ,11 December : The Ministry of Railways, led by Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, has announced several initiatives that are aimed at improving passenger convenience, ensuring safety, and promoting transparency in recruitment. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Shri Vaishnaw detailed these measures as part of the ongoing Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.
To cater to the unreserved passengers especially of economically weaker sections, the Railways launched a program to manufacture 12,000 general coaches. As many as 900 general coaches have been added in the current financial year with proposals for production of 10,000 more. This comes along the line of achieving and sustaining the 2:3 non-AC to AC ratio.
In anticipation of the Mahakumbh, Railways has planned 13,000 special trains for increasing pilgrims. This, in turn, shows a strong endeavour to give smooth and hassle-free trains to the middle-class and economically weaker class families. Besides, Railways ran 7,900 special trains successfully during Chhath and Diwali festivals to take more than 1.8 crores of passengers without massive disruptions.
Innovative Train Services: Amrit Bharat and Namo Bharat
Shri Vaishnaw also mentioned the launch of the Amrit Bharat train series, which is specifically designed for non-AC passengers, but it provides features like less noise and smooth ride, as in the case of Vande Bharat trains. After the first fleet, 50 more are in the pipeline.
The Namo Bharat trains are another important development designed for short-distance, high-frequency shuttle services. At present, two Namo Bharat trains are operational. Based on their performance, the Railways will expand the production to offer regional train services similar to European standards, which will benefit the Indian middle class.
Transparent Recruitment Processes and Employment Opportunities
The Minister mentioned that Railways are committed to fair and transparent recruitment. For example, the recently conducted RRB examination for 1.26 crore candidates at 211 cities was completed without any incident and paper leak. This recruitment process filled up 1,30,581 employees. The Railways has also announced an annual examination calendar in which recruitment of 58,642 is going on. Recently, more than 11 lakh candidates were recruited for loco pilots.
Infrastructure Advancements for Safety and Efficiency
Shri Vaishnaw announced the elimination of all unmanned level crossings through the construction of 12,000 flyovers and underpasses over the past decade. This significant milestone enhances safety and streamlines train operations.
These efforts reflect the Indian Railways’ dedication to serving the nation’s diverse needs, ensuring passenger convenience, operational efficiency, and economic inclusivity.
