Mumbai: On the occasion of India’s 79th Independence Day, Western Railway General Manager Vivek Kumar Gupta addressed the gathering at the flag hoisting ceremony held at Churchgate, highlighting a series of landmark achievements and ambitious initiatives aimed at transforming railway operations, safety, and infrastructure.
Gupta announced the successful installation and trials of the latest version (4.0) of the indigenously developed KAVACH safety system across 735 km and 90 locomotives in the Virar–Vadodara–Ahmedabad and Vadodara–Nagda sections.
“The loco trials have been completed for the entire stretch, which is a significant step towards enhancing train safety and increasing average speeds. These developments are in line with our continued progress under Mission Raftaar,” he said.
Focus on Safety, Speed, and Sustainability
Reiterating Western Railway’s commitment to safety, Gupta revealed that between April and July 2025, the zone achieved a record rehabilitation of 98 bridges, and undertook extensive safety inspections, audits, and drives. Sectional speeds were increased and speed restrictions relaxed to enhance train mobility.
A major innovation in signalling has also been introduced with the successful installation of the Direct Drive Electronic Interlocking System at Tajpur station (Ratlam Division)—the first of its kind on Indian Railways—marking a significant leap in safety and operational efficiency.
Further strengthening infrastructure, Gupta said that 100% electrification of Western Railway’s Broad Gauge network has been completed, aligning with the centenary celebrations of Indian Railways' electrification and contributing to India’s sustainability goals.
Massive Capital Investment and Ambitious Targets
In terms of infrastructure development, Western Railway recorded a net capital expenditure of over ₹7,500 crore up to July 2025—utilizing nearly 45% of the annual budget. For the fiscal year 2025-26, a target of laying 378 km of new railway lines has been set, with several vital projects progressing at a rapid pace.
Gupta also noted the dedication of India’s first 9000 HP electric locomotive, manufactured at the newly inaugurated Electric Locomotive Manufacturing Shop in Dahod, by the Prime Minister earlier this year. “It’s a matter of great pride for Western Railway to spearhead high-powered locomotive production, reinforcing India’s self-reliance in railway technology,” he said.
Passenger Experience and Station Modernization
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 18 Western Railway stations were among the 103 redeveloped and dedicated by the Prime Minister in May 2025. Work on the remaining stations is ongoing, promising a significant upgrade in passenger experience.
Responding to rising demand, especially for premium services, Gupta announced the launch of a new Vande Bharat Express between Veraval and Sabarmati, catering to pilgrims and tourists visiting Somnath. Additionally, the Mumbai–Gandhinagar Vande Bharat Express has been expanded to 20 coaches from the previous 16, enhancing capacity and comfort.
Gupta stated that over Rs 2,145 crore has been spent on passenger amenities till July 2025, emphasizing Western Railway’s customer-centric approach.
Freight Performance and Revenue Generation
Western Railway has shown strong performance in freight operations, achieving loading of 33 million tonnes and generating nearly Rs 4,400 crore in freight revenue till July 2025. The zone’s total originating revenue stands at Rs 7,500 crore, with non-fare revenue (NFR) crossing Rs 236 crore, the second-highest among all Indian Railways zones.
Also Watch:
Under the “Mission Zero Scrap” initiative, Western Railway reported scrap sales worth Rs 150 crore, surpassing the target by 11% in the first four months of the fiscal year.
