India Plans Massive Rail Investment for 2010

25 February 2010 (Last Updated February 25th, 2010 18:30)

Indian Railways (IR) has proposed an Rs41,426 crore ($9bn) investment plan, its highest ever, for the fiscal year 2010 to expand and modernise the national rail network. The plan includes Rs4,411 crore ($954m) to build 1,000km of new lines and Rs1,302 crore ($282m) for passenger ameniti

Indian Railways (IR) has proposed an Rs41,426 crore ($9bn) investment plan, its highest ever, for the fiscal year 2010 to expand and modernise the national rail network.

The plan includes Rs4,411 crore ($954m) to build 1,000km of new lines and Rs1,302 crore ($282m) for passenger amenities.

Almost 800km of gauge conversion and 700km of track doubling will be carried out.

About 55 new projects in the backward areas will be surveyed and surveys for 114 similar projects will be updated.

The plan includes setting up a new centre for railway technology research, a loco pilot training centre and new coach factories.

IR plans to electrify 2,000km of routes within two years as well as to add 25,000km of new lines in the next ten years.