How Indian Railways is taking on the Atmanirbhar Bharat challenge, in 5 points
India’s coronavirus crisis has spurred Asia’s oldest railway network to look inwards for solutions. Several railway infrastructure firms are lining up plans underscoring Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to become self-reliant. Here’s listing a few
1. Made-in-India RRTS coaches
India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project aims to provide regional connectivity to NCR with an operational speed of 160 kilometres per hour. The coaches of these trains will be made in India with transverse seating, allowing more people to sit. According to Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, MoHUA, the entire rolling stock of RRTS will be manufactured at Bombardier’s Savli plant in Gujarat. The Rolling stock comes equipped with a public announcement and display system, dynamic route map display, an infotainment display, along with emergency communication facilities.
2. NCRTC rapid-rail track
RRTS owns many firsts in terms of technology. One of them is the ballastless track, where concrete or asphalt replaces the traditional elastic combination of ties/sleepers and ballasts. NCRTC will use indigenously designed ballastless tracks for RRTS, a technology that supports high-speed trains. These tracks will support high performance and require low maintenance, reducing the life-cycle cost.
3. Manufacturing platform screen doors (PSDs)
NCTRC and Bharat Electronics (BEL) will be jointly making indigenous platform screen doors (PSDs) for RRTS, metro, and other high-speed rail projects.
