Ashwini Vaishnav, the Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, visited Gandhinagar Jaipur Railway Station to review ongoing redevelopment efforts. During his inspection, he highlighted the Prime Minister’s vision to redevelop 1,324 railway stations across India, calling it the world’s largest redevelopment initiative.
Vaishnav expressed satisfaction with the progress, noting the completion of structural work at both entrances and the successful girder launch for a 72-meter wide air concourse, marking a first for Indian Railways. This air concourse will feature facilities such as a waiting room, shopping complex, cafeteria, and game zone, designed for both passengers and the public.
The Minister emphasized that the redevelopment will provide world-class amenities and incorporate green building practices, including a 1,400 kW solar power plant and rainwater harvesting systems. He also announced plans for 200,000 permanent recruitments in the state following the formation of a Congress government.
Additionally, Vaishnav conducted a window trailing inspection of the Jaipur-Sawai Madhopur section, advocating for enhanced safety and passenger facilities. He introduced the “Rail Rakshak Dal,” a rapid-response team formed to address railway accidents, comprising NDRF, RPF, and mechanical department personnel equipped for disaster management.
Jyoti Kumar Satija, IG of RPF for North Western Railway, expressed pride in the Railway Minister’s initiative aimed at enhancing rapid response during accidents. He stated that the responsibility has been entrusted to North Western Railway, with the RPF and mechanical teams receiving four weeks of specialized training. The newly formed Rail Raksha Dal will ensure they reach accident sites promptly. Satija highlighted that this is a significant initiative, noting that Indian Railways has established the Rail Raksha Dal team and equipped them at Gandhinagar Railway Station.
Sandeep Ravivanshi DIG (RPF)- NWR stated that in order to stop the increasing train accidents in the country, the Railways has formed the Rail Rakshak Dal. He informed that Indian Railways has formed the Rail Rakshak Dal for the first time to stop the increasing train accidents across the country. As part of a pilot project, the Indian Railways has started this initiative in the North Western Railway (NWR) area. The Rail Rakshak Dal is capable of reaching the accident site immediately and carrying out rescue operations.Accompanying the Minister were Jaipur Lok Sabha MP Manju Sharma and North Western Railway General Manager Amitabh. Following his inspection, Vaishnav tried the newly installed Kavach 4.0 safety system between Sawai Madhopur and Indragarh Sumerganj Mandi stations.
After reaching Sawai Madhopur, the Minister also did a trial run of the newly installed Kavach 4.0 system between Sawai Madhopur-Indragarh Sumerganj Mandi stations of Kota Division of West Central Railway.
Kavach 4.0 from Sawai Madhopur Junction to Sumerganj Mandi station was also tested. Railways has installed Automatic Train Protection System (Automatic Train Protection System) Kavach 4.0 here. This has become the first track of the railway. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav himself will travel in the train loco from Sawai Madhopur to Sumerganj Mandi and trial the system. After inspecting the Kavach system, the Railway Minister will leave for Delhi from Sumerganj Mandi.
After this, the Kavach system from Sawai Madhopur Junction to Sumerganj Mandi will be inspected. North Western Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Shashi Kiran said – The 108 km railway track between Sawai Madhopur and Kota is now Kavach equipped.