It is a cooperative effort involving the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Haryana.Nonetheless, the 160 kmph operating speed potential of Namo Bharat is a little too ambitious considering the Railways’ past performance. Source: Free Press Journal
The Railways faced criticism in a 2022 CAG report presented to Parliament for their slow and delayed trains, even after spending an astounding Rs 2.5 lakh crore on infrastructure development over a ten-year period. The mail and express trains are still moving at about 50 kmph, but the flagship Rajdhanis, Shatabdis, and Vande Bharats have not accelerated throughout the years.
The analysis highlighted that although approximately 200 new trains are launched per year, there is a lack of commensurate investment in infrastructure and technology. As a result, newer trains were not running at their full speed capability. Another factor that needs to be taken very seriously is foolproof safety precautions.
Source: The Economic Times
According to Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, India will have the second-largest urban transit metro system in the world by 2025, when the Namo Bharat project is anticipated to be finished (behind China). Nevertheless, the reality remains that passenger trains operate at 200 kmph in over 20 nations, many of them on recently renovated existing rails. The Railways are to be held responsible for the glaring gaps in fund utilisation that the CAG has pointed out.
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