Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said railways is expanding the rail network in the country faster as it has commissioned 3,500 km track in the last two years.
“Earlier, 1,500 km line was commissioned in the last 10 years while today we have succeeded in commissioning 3,500 km line in two years,” Mr. Modi said in his Independence Day speech.
Railway line commissioning means a train can be pressed into service on the line after completion of all trials on the new track.
Currently, the railways is laying the 7.8 km track in a day and according to the plan, it will go up to 13 km per day next year.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu along with other Cabinet ministers was present at the Red Fort during the function.
Referring to the faster clearance of projects, Mr. Modi said.
“Earlier it used to take two years for getting clearance for rail projects, now those are getting cleared in 3/4 months or maximum within six months,” Mr. Modi said.
Highlighting the wide range of rail operation in the country, Mr. Modi said “while we talk of bio-toilets in trains, on the other side we are also dreaming of bringing bullet train.”
Railways has set a target of installing bio-toilets in all coaches by 2019 to improve the hygiene and cleanliness at railway premises.
On the bullet train project, work is going on to have the first high speed train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad with Japanese help.
