The Ministry of Railways has unveiled initiatives to enhance the safety and comfort of rail travel. Among these measures is the adoption of composite sleepers for bridge approaches and points and crossings. These new sleepers, lighter and with improved load-bearing capacity, aim to enhance passenger experience, particularly on bridges and crossings.
In addition to the composite sleepers, the ministry will implement AI-enabled track monitoring using specialized devices in inspection vehicles. These innovative sleepers are designed to be more durable, capable of withstanding loads up to 700 kg per square centimeter, and are expected to reduce maintenance costs for the Railways.
Furthermore, the ministry will equip inspection vehicles with Ground Penetration Radar devices for AI-assisted track monitoring and employ Magnetic Particle Testing to enhance welding quality on railway tracks. These decisions underscore Indian Railways’ commitment to passenger safety and comfort, reflecting ongoing efforts to provide secure and pleasant travel experiences.
Indian Railways is also focusing on affordability by expanding non-AC general and sleeper capacities and offering an average concession of around 45% per passenger to maintain low fares. The Railways allocates a substantial passenger subsidy annually, including approximately Rs 60,000 crore for passenger subsidies and an additional Rs 3,000 crore for suburban sections like Mumbai.
