The Union Minister for Railways, Communications, and Electronics, Ashwini Vaishnav, in an exclusive discussion with Aaj Tak following the central budget announcements, emphasized that this budget is invigorated by youth and women empowerment, presenting a blueprint for a developed India.
He disclosed that 2.78 lakh crore rupees have been allocated to the railways, marking the highest investment to date. Over 160 Vande Bharat and more than 50 Amrit Bharat trains are operating across the nation, alongside the reconstruction of over 1300 stations.
Let's delve into the exclusive insights from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav's conversation with Aaj Tak.
Question:
If you had to summarize the direction and essence of this budget in one line, what would you say?
Answer:
This budget is inspired by youthful energy, dedicated to empowering women, crafted with a sense of duty, and outlines a clear roadmap for a developed India.
Question:
From a railway perspective, this budget is said to be quite substantial. How do you perceive it?
Answer:
The railways have received the largest allocation ever – 2.78 lakh crore rupees. For this, I extend my gratitude to the Honorable Prime Minister and Finance Minister. The transformation in the railways over the past decade has directly benefited passengers. Today, more than 160 Vande Bharat trains are operational, over 50 Amrit Bharat trains have been launched, and over 1300 stations are being redeveloped.
Question:
How strong is the government's focus on safety in the railways?
Answer:
Safety has been a major focus. Over the past decade, there has been a nearly 95 percent improvement in railway safety. Where previously there were 171 annual accidents, today that number has been reduced to about 12. Continuous work is underway on maintenance, track upgrades, and overhead electric wire upgrades. Annually, a record 7,000 kilometers of track upgrading is being conducted. The installation of the 'Kavach' system and the creation of digital stations are proceeding rapidly.
Question:
How can the announced high-speed rail corridors be expected to impact?
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Answer:
Seven new high-speed rail corridors will significantly transform India's transport sector. The distance from Chennai to Bangalore will take an hour and thirteen minutes, Bangalore to Hyderabad in two hours. Mumbai to Pune will take only 40 minutes, and Pune to Hyderabad will be reached in one hour and 55 minutes. This will become a major economic multiplier across tourism, healthcare, education, and employment sectors.
Question:
There was much discussion about Kerala. Is the high-speed rail plan there currently deferred?
Answer:
Several railway projects are ongoing in Kerala. The railway capacity in the state is continuously being expanded. With a bit more cooperation from the state government on land acquisition, the work could advance faster. The railway budget for Kerala, initially around 300 crore rupees, has now been increased tenfold. Several new projects from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram have DPRs being prepared, and work is advancing rapidly.
Question:
Criticisms often surface about budgets being populistic as elections approach. The opposition has also raised such comments this time.
Answer:
Criticisms are natural. But the difference is that today work is visible on the ground. Kolkata Metro is an example. Over 40 years, only 25 kilometers were completed, whereas 45 kilometers of metro line have been built in the last 11 years. Despite the lack of cooperation from the state government in many projects, the center continues its investments and work.
Question:
What does the government conclude about the fluctuation in the stock market post-budget?
Answer:
It is not appropriate to comment on the stock market.
Question:
The budget shows a special focus on infrastructure, tourism, and the environment. Are these the necessities of today?
Answer:
Absolutely. This is a multi-dimensional budget. Every sector and dimension has been considered. The budget has been crafted keeping in mind the reforms needed, the sectoral investments required, and the focus directions for mapping a path toward a developed India.
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Question:
Significant announcements regarding the creators' economy and AI were made in the budget. How do you see them?
Answer:
The creators' economy is a formidable future force. The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies is linking 15,000 high schools and 500 colleges with creator labs, creating approximately 2 million jobs. This model has already proven successful in semiconductor and 5G labs, where students gain practical knowledge in college and are being groomed to meet global industry standards.
