Indian Railways lays tracks equal to Switzerland’s network; new super app on the way

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the development of an innovative super app intended to transform railway services in India. Currently in the planning stages, the app aims to integrate various railway-related functions into a single platform.

It will offer users the ability to book tickets, check PNR status, track train movements, and access other services, although specific features are yet to be finalized.

Vaishnaw explained the significant progress made by Indian Railways under the NDA government over the past decade. He stressed that the forthcoming super app is designed to comprehensively address passenger needs, with the goal of streamlining and enhancing the overall user experience.

New safety measures and trains announced

In his address, the minister also detailed substantial infrastructure advancements, noting that over 5,300 kilometers of railway tracks were laid in the previous year. This development is comparable to the entire rail network of Switzerland.

Additionally, he emphasized the deployment of Kavach, an indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, across 10,000 railway coaches. This system aims to improve safety by preventing collisions and derailments.

Vaishnaw also mentioned the rising international interest in India’s Vande Bharat trains, with inquiries from countries such as Chile. However, he indicated that exports would commence with the fourth and fifth versions of the Vande Bharat trains.

Addressing railway safety, Vaishnaw reported a significant reduction in rail accidents from 171 annually a decade ago to approximately 40 per year. He pledged to further decrease this number through structural changes and new training methods.

In addition, Vaishnaw introduced the Amrit Bharat trains, designed to provide affordable travel options for ordinary citizens, with fares for journeys up to 1,000 kilometers priced around Rs 400 to Rs 450.

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