<span style="color: #222222;">Lok Sabha today passed the demands for grants of the ministry of railways for 2022-23. In his reply after a 13 hour long discussion on the issue, the railway minister Ashwini Vaishnav emphasized that Indian railways is today modernizing, upgrading technology and improving capital investment inflow into the sector. He said that efforts are yielding results as the capital investments reach 99,511 crore rupees per year, laying of tracks and electrification have doubled, north east connectivity has improved considerably, 1110 kms of trade corridor completed, made in India Vande Bharat trains introduced and railway stations are modernized. Speaking about the vision for the next 10 years, the minister said that the target is to increase annual passenger movement from 800 crore to 1000 crore, cargo movement from 1400 million tonne to 3000 million tonne and investment to three lakh crore rupees. The minister noted that Vande Bharat railway coach, manufactured within the country, is a success story attracting world attention. Regarding &nbsp; introduction of air springs and other tech upgrades, the Minister &nbsp;said, these will improve the safety and comfort of the railway journey. The plans are also afoot to develop small cargo containers for MSMEs, farmers and micro entrepreneurs. One station and one product scheme announced in the budget will promote area specific products. To queries from the Opposition members, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnav emphasized that there is no plan to privatise Indian railways. He added that railways is a strategic sector with social obligation and hence will not be privatized.</span><br />
