Under the increased focus on rail network expansion, Indian Railways has decided to push the pace of laying new track to 19-km per day from the current 7.8-km which will generate Rs 80,000-cr business avenues from the procurement of cement, steel and cable among others in the next three years. Besides, the Railways will use drones to monitor the progress of the track laying work, Railway Board Member (Engineering), VK Gupta, said, elaborating that the expansion of rail network is a major thrust for Railways as the public transporter is facing an acute congestion due to the limited line capacity. It has laid 1,983-km-long track in 2014-15 and it increased to 2,828-km in the next year. There will be total 2,900-km of track in the current year and it involves gauge conversion, doubling and also laying new rail connecting new areas.
