Railway Budget 2019: Expect semi high speed trains on more routes, Improved network capacity

Railway Budget 2019: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is all set to present the first Railway Budget 2019 of the second term of Modi government as part of Union Budget 2019 shortly. Infrastructure has been one of Modi government's top priority ever since it came to power. The government is also set to introduce India's first bullet train in the coming years and the Railway Budget 2019 will give a clear picture on the things to expect in future. 

Amit Gupta, Director, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP believes that the Modi government could announce the introduction of semi high speed trains such as Train 18 and Talgo on more routes as well as fast tracking station redevelopment programme for key metro cities would go a long way in meeting passenger’s needs as well as aspirations.

He told Zee Business Online that the next thing on agenda would be to improve the network capacity. 

"Improving network capacity through signalling projects, upgrading loop line infrastructure to enable running of longer trains (2x-4x of current size) and completing ongoing line expansion projects on time to improve average speed of freight trains and increase rail share for freight movement," Gupta added.

He said that Government should focus on not only allocation of funds, but also on setting up a road map for clearly outlining the private and government sectors’ role in infrastructure creation and operations over the next few years

The Union Budget will be presented by the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at 11 am in the Parliament.