Page 43 - CII Artha Magazine

Countless businesses have
benefited due to the support
and expansion of the rail
network. In fact, the rise of the
textile industry in Mumbai, the
jute industry in Kolkata's
environs, and the coal industry
in Jharkhand can all be
attributed to the construction
of railway networks. (DFCs) are intended to per cent of the country's GDP. as well will connect regions
transport goods at higher The rail network connects the in the national capital region
Railways and metros provide volumes and faster speeds. country's agriculture sector, (NCR) offering
an affordable mode of daily Through faster transit of freight farmers and their produce to high-frequency,
transportation for people, trains, double stack container various parts of the country. point-to-point travel
especially migrant labourers trains, and heavy haul trains, the allowing commute over long
who oftentimes have to travel unit cost of freight transport Thanks to train operations, IR distances with fewer stops.
long distances in search of will reduce. The DFCs will also can transport agricultural
work. Connecting people to strengthen the supply chain in produce such as grains, fruits • Freight Transportation
remote areas of the country areas which lead to the growth and vegetables from even the
enables entrepreneurs and the of exports. Work is also most remote parts of the There are two new
government to create underway on developing the country to urban centres dedicated freight corridors
economic progress by concept of multi-modal ensuring that the produce (DFCs) in the works, being
providing job opportunities. transportation, which will reaches consumers in a timely built specifically for
Railways is also connecting the strengthen the connectivity and cost-effective manner. high-capacity freight trains.
furthest parts of the country between air, road, sea and train Farmers can now sell their After the completion of the
faster, be it Northeast or transport networks. The PM produce to even the most DFCs, freight trains will
Jammu & Kashmir with some Gati Shakti National Master distant locations and even sell operate at 100 kmph with
of the projects like the Chenab Plan outlines a “Transformative them for higher profits on the minimal interruptions and
Bridge which once operational approach for economic growth global market. on renewable energy. The
will be the world’s highest rail and sustainable development eastern and western
bridge. dependent on the engines of Here's how Indian Railways dedicated freight corridors
roads, railways, airports, ports, are shaping the future of will serve a dual advantage
The railways' transportation of mass transport, waterways and the Indian rail network: of moving freight faster as
goods at a reasonable cost also logistics infrastructure.” The well as removing freight
has a positive impact on the plan envisages the development movement from passenger
livelihoods of people by of all modes of transport, • Modernising and expanding network, hence, enabling
reducing the cost of essential facilitated by multi-modal hubs, infrastructure development faster passenger movement
commodities. industrial corridors, defence RApart from the launch of as well.
corridors and other strategic the Tejas and Vande Bharat
Connecting developments. Express, IR is also building • Improving passenger
transportation and boosting
capacities for its first bullet
natural INDIAN RAILWAYS train as well as India's first Indian Railways has been
tourism
dual-track vertical lift railway
resources and ARE SHAPING THE sea bridge connecting exploring new business
Rameshwaram. The recently
FUTURE OF THE
models such as the Vista
beyond INDIAN RAIL launched Chenab Rail Bridge Dome, which offers a
in Jammu & Kashmir is the
NETWORK IN A
panoramic view of the
MULTI-DIMENSIONAL world's highest railway arch surrounding landscapes to
India is also a country abundant bridge, sitting 359m atop the boost tourism and create
in natural resources, and the PARADIGM Chenab River. With the new job opportunities in the
rail network plays a pivotal role fastest acceleration among hospitality sector. IR is
in connecting these resources As a country that takes pride Indian trains, the Vande introducing more new trains,
to critical junctures in the in its agriculture, naturally, we Bharat express offers not upgrading existing trains, and
pipeline. IR connects coal are heavily reliant on our only high-speed travel but improving station
mines, iron ore deposits and agriculture industry. also has state-of-the-art infrastructure to enhance
other crucial natural resources Approximately 60 per cent of comfort, sustainability and the passenger experience by
to the many manufacturing the Indian population works in safety technology built in. adopting new technologies.
hubs all over the country. the agriculture industry, The upcoming Regional
contributing to a whopping 18 Rapid Transit System (RRTS)
The dedicated freight corridors

42 ANALYSIS, RESEARCH, THOUGHT LEADERSHIP & ADVOCACY
QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS
MAY 2023