In line with the vision of achieving a Viksit Bharat by 2047, Indian Railways is accelerating its efforts to play a significant role in this national transformation. The national transporter is advancing on multiple fronts – from redeveloping railway stations and launching new trains to strengthening infrastructure and expanding rail networks through new line construction and doubling projects.
Additionally, the Ministry of Railways is operating in mission mode to position India among the world’s leading railway exporters.
Locomotive Manufacturers
India has emerged as the world’s largest locomotive manufacturer. Speaking at a CII event on May 30, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the country produced 1,600 locomotives in the past year — the highest production figure globally.
“We’ve become World’s largest Locomotive Manufacturer with 1600 Locomotives produced in the last year, which is more than combined production of US, Europe & Japan. We’re also bringing new technologies producing world’s most modern locomotives,” Vaishnaw said.
Rail Cargo, Freight Transportation
India now ranks second globally in railway cargo-carrying capacity. To further enhance freight efficiency, the country is actively developing its Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs), aimed at ensuring smooth, uninterrupted movement of goods trains without affecting passenger train operations.
“We’ve achieved major milestones in last 10 yrs and now is the 2nd largest cargo carrying Railway in the world, overtaking Russia and US, with 1,612 MT of cargo carrying capacity,” the Railway Minister added. He also stated that it reduces pressure on roads and CO2 emissions by 95 per cent and saves oil imports.
Manufacturing of LHB Coaches
The national transporter has also targeted to replace all the old coaches with new coaches over the next three years. “In the last 10 years, we have manufactured 41,000 LHB coaches and in next three years we will replace all the old coaches with new coaches in the entire Rail network,” says Vaishnaw.
