19-Apr-2023: NHAI to Create Around 10,000 km of Digital Highways by FY 2024 - 25
NHAI is working towards development of around 10,000 km of Optic Fibre Cables (OFC) infrastructure across the country by FY2024-25. National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), a fully owned SPV of NHAI, will implement the network of Digital Highways by developing integrated utility corridors along the National Highways to develop OFC infrastructure. Around 1,367 km on Delhi - Mumbai Expressway and 512 km on Hyderabad - Bangalore Corridor have been identified as pilot routes for the Digital Highway development.
Providing internet connectivity to remote locations across the country, the OFC network will help to expedite the roll out of new age telecom technologies like 5G & 6G. Recently inaugurated, 246 km long Delhi – Dausa – Lalsot section of the Delhi - Mumbai Expressway features a three-meter-wide dedicated utility corridor used to lay Optical Fibre Cables, which will serve as the backbone for the roll out of the 5G network in the region. OFC laying work along the National Highways has started and is targeted for completion in about a year.
OFC network will allow direct plug-and-play or ‘Fibre-on-demand’ model for the Telecom / Internet Services. The network will be leased out on a Fixed Price Allotment mechanism on ‘Open for All’ basis through a web portal to eligible users. OFC allotment policy is being finalized in consultation with DoT and TRAI.
Creation of Digital Highways will not only have a catalytic impact on the growth and development but will also contribute to the digital transformation of our country.
29-Mar-2023: 161 km out of 272 km length of USBRL project commissioned
The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail link (USBRL) project (272 km) was sanctioned in 1994-95. Anticipated cost of the project is Rs 37,012 crore, against which, expenditure of Rs 26,786 crore has been incurred up to March, 2022 on the project. Out of the total 272 km length of USBRL project, length of 161 Km has already been commissioned. Work on balance stretch of Katra-Banihal section of 111 Km has been taken up.
The completion of any Railway project(s) depends on various factors like quick land acquisition by State Government, forest clearance by officials of forest department, deposition of cost by State Government in Cost sharing projects, shifting of infringing utilities, statutory clearances from various authorities, geological and topographical conditions of area, law and order situation in the area of project(s) site, number of working months in a year for particular project site due to climatic considerations etc. All these factors affect the completion time of the project(s).
At present, 19 (nineteen) Passenger Special train services are running in Baramulla-Badgam-Banihal section of USBRL Project. Moreover, introduction of new train services or extension of existing train services is an ongoing process over Indian Railways subject to traffic demand, operational feasibility and availability of rolling stock.
New Line Projects are considered on the basis of demands raised by State Governments, Central Ministries, Member of Parliament, other public representatives and Railways’ own requirements. As receipt of such proposals is a continuous and ongoing process, centralized compendium of such requests is not maintained. The proposals are taken up on the basis of remuneration, last mile connectivity, augmentation of congested/saturated lines, socio-economic considerations, missing links and alternate routes including connectivity to tourist destinations etc., depending upon liabilities of ongoing projects, overall availability of funds and competing demands which is a continuous and ongoing process.
29-Mar-2023: 1275 railway stations have been identified under Amrit Bharat Station scheme
The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme has recently been launched for development of Railway stations on Indian Railways. This scheme envisages development of stations on a continuous basis with a long-term approach.
Involves preparation of Master Plans and their implementation in phases to improve the amenities at the stations like improvement of station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, lift/escalators as necessary, cleanliness, free Wi-Fi, kiosks for local products through schemes like ‘One Station One Product’, better passenger information systems, executive lounges, nominated spaces for business meetings, landscaping etc. keeping in view the necessity at each station.
The scheme also envisages improvement of building, integrating the station with both sides of the city, multimodal integration, amenities for Divyangjans, sustainable and environment friendly solutions, provision of ballast less tracks, ‘Roof Plazas’ as per necessity, phasing and feasibility and creation of city centres at the station in the long term.
Presently, 1275 railway stations have been identified for development under this scheme including 55 in the State of Karnataka, 87 in the State of Gujarat, 123 in the State of Maharashtra, 82 in the State of Rajasthan, 49 in the State of Assam, 4 in the State of Tripura and 1 each in the State of Arunachal Pradesh Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim.
Budgetary funds are being used for developing stations under ‘Amrit Bharat Station scheme’. However, a miniscule number of stations are also being explored for development under Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Rani Kamalapati Railway Station in the State of Madhya Pradesh has been commissioned through PPP model.
Development/redevelopment of Railway Stations is complex in nature involving safety of passengers and trains and requires various statutory clearances from urban/local bodies etc. and these factors affect the completion time. Therefore, no time frame can be indicated.