December 03, 2008

Eastern Railway to spend INR 507 crore on infrastructure

BS reported that, keeping in view the rising demand for passenger and freight services, Eastern Railway has planned a slew of projects which includes construction of new lines of about 550 kilometers, gauge conversion of 67 kilometers and electrification of 20.34 kilometers. Apart from these projects, 14 surveys have been undertaken for construction of new lines of 575 kilometers, doubling of 16 kilometers track and gauge conversion of 74 kilometers. The proposals were now before the railway board.

Mr NK Goel GM of Eastern Railway said that these projects would be executed subject to the railway board's sanction with the objective of connecting the growth centers planned in areas served by Eastern Railway and also new areas. He added that "Indian Railway is investing in a big way to strengthen infrastructure in the form of new lines, gauge conversion, doubling of tracks, traffic facilities, rolling stock and track renewal. Eastern Railway will be spending about INR 507 crore in the next few years on infrastructure."

Eastern Railway has commissioned its passenger reservation system at 100 locations and unreserved ticketing system at 90 locations. Passenger reservation system would cover 3 more locations and unreserved ticketing system 300 more locations in 2008-09.