Paper: GS – III, Subject: Indian Economy, Topic: Infrastructure, Issue: High Density Network Corridors.
Context:
The government has approved adding new railway lines on the Badlapur–Karjat section to reduce congestion. This is part of a nationwide effort to upgrade India’s highly stressed High Density Networks (HDNs).
Key Takeaways:
- High Density Networks are the busiest railway routes in India. Although they form only 16% of the total railway route, they carry 41% of all traffic both passenger and freight.
- These routes include major corridors like Delhi–Howrah, Howrah–Mumbai, Mumbai–Chennai, and Delhi–Chennai.
- Every railway line has a maximum capacity based on factors such as train speed, signalling system, track availability, and the mix of freight and passenger trains.
- Ideally, a line should operate at 70–80% of its capacity.
- But many Indian HDNs are running at 120–150% or more, which creates heavy congestion.
- This overloading leads to slower trains, frequent delays, safety risks, difficulty in adding new trains, and increased pressure on the logistics network.
- For example, the Mumbai–Chennai route operates at 167% utilisation, far above safe limits.
- Because HDNs are the backbone of India’s rail connectivity, their congestion affects both daily passengers and the national economy.
- Hence, adding extra lines and upgrading infrastructure has become essential.
High-Density Railway Network (HDN) Significance and Response:
Way Forward:
- Fast-track multi-tracking projects by improving state coordination and reducing delays.
- Extend DFCs quickly to separate freight and passenger movement more effectively.
- Adopt modern signalling technologies (e.g., moving block, KAVACH) to increase capacity without laying new tracks.
- Use predictive maintenance and better scheduling to reduce downtime.
- Focus on chokepoint sections first, where the network is most congested.
- Explore innovative financing models and PPPs for major expansion projects.
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