Page 18 - NIS English 01-15 February, 2025

COVER STORY
RAILWAYS' TRANSFORMATION

have been laid. Today, hundreds of overbridges NET ZERO CARBON
and underbridges have ensured uninterrupted TARGET 2030
and accident-free movement. Till a decade ago,
modern facilities like airports was unimaginable.
Only the rich can afford. Today, poor and middle- Indian Railways has set a target of becoming a net
class people are able to experience the same zero carbon emitter by 2030. About 487 MW of solar
plants and about 103 MW of wind power plants have
facilities at the airport and even at the railway been commissioned by November 2024. In addition,
station. 100 MW of Renewable Energy - Round the Clock
With the aim of making Indian Railways the (RE-RTC) has also started flowing. About 2014 MW of
world's modern transport system, the central renewable energy capacity has been added.
government is working on four parameters.
First- special emphasis is being laid on the 44,199 THE MOST
modernization of the railway infrastructure. POWERFUL
Second- how railway passengers can get Electrification KM HYDROGEN TRAIN
modern facilities with ease and safety. Third- of broad
establishing railway connectivity in every corner gauge ENGINE
of the country. As a result of this, today many India has made the
areas of Jammu-Kashmir and the Northeast 21,801 world's most powerful
are getting connected to the railway for the first KM hydrogen train engine.
time. Fourth- railways are creating employment Union Railway Minister
and supporting industries. Today, the reach of Ashwini Vaishnaw
railways is continuously expanding due to these has said that the train
engine developed by the
parameters. Indian Railways is 1,200
horsepower. Currently,
'VANDE BHARAT’, A SYMBOL OF SELF- Before 2014 2014-24 (10 only four countries in the
RELIANT INDIA (60 years) years) world have hydrogen
The Vande Bharat train is giving a new impetus trains with a capacity of
to the dream of a new and rapidly changing 97% 500-600 horsepower. The
first such train is expected
India. The indigenous Vande Bharat train is to be on a trial run soon
rapidly spreading across the country. Today, of the broad gauge on the Jind-Sonipat route
136 Vande Bharat services on more than 50 network has been in Haryana. The hydrogen-
routes are making people’s journeys pleasant. electrified so far, which powered rail engine
The Government of India is preparing to build was up to 35 percent manufactured in India has
been developed using
unrivalled railway network through the Vande by 2014. indigenous potential.
Bharat train in the coming years, on which the
Railway Ministry has also started work. The
Vande Bharat trains running in every corner of the
country is not only a symbol of the resolve and
capability of the new India but is also becoming a
symbol of India moving towards self-reliance by
leaving the mentality of slavery. It is a symbol of
that India, which is on the path of rapid change.
Such an India, which is impatient about its
dreams, its aspirations. Such an India, which
wants to reach its goal by moving fast.
Be it a spiritual city of the country, a commercial

16 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR | February 1-15, 2025