Indian Railways is expected to switch entirely to electricity by 2024, as stated Railways Minister Piyush Goyal. It will be the first railway network in the world to be run fully on electricity. India is also planning to make the entire railway network a ‘net-zero emission network‘ by 2030, it will run on clean energy and clean power.
Railway Board has approved works for provision of Video Surveillance System covering 983 stations under Nirbhaya funds. ‘RailTel’ has been entrusted with the work of providing IP based VSS with video analytics and facial recognition system
In order to enhance security at Railway stations which are major hubs of transportation, Indian Railways is in the process of installing Internet Protocol (IP) based Video Surveillance System (VSS) at stations, that is, waiting halls, reservation counters, parking areas, main entrance/ exit, platforms, foot over bridges, booking offices etc.
The Indian Railways has integrated its helpline numbers into a single number — 139 taking over all the existing helpline numbers, for quick grievance redressal and enquiries by passengers during their train journeys.
The Helpline 139 will be available in twelve languages. It will be based on Interactive Voice Response System and will provide easy access to all mobile users.
The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has approved re-employment of Vinod Kumar Yadav as Chairman, Railway Board for a period of one year w.e.f January 1, 2020.
He has been reappointed as Chairman Railway Board, in the rank of Ex-Officio Principal Secretary to Government of India.