Question: The First semi-high speed train, Gatimaan Express between Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin station and Agra Cantonment, was launched on –
(a) 5 April 2016
(b) 6 April 2016
(c) 7 April 2016
(d) 8 April 2016
Ans: (a)
Related facts:
- On 18 January 2017; the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) released Achievement Report of railway sector under Make in India.
- Indian Railways is the backbone of long distance passenger transport in India with a network that spans more than 66030 km.
- First semi-high speed train, Gatimaan Express between Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin station and Agra Cantonment, was launched on April 5, 2016.
- Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail project has been sanctioned at a total cost INR 97,636 crore.
- 100 % FDI is permitted through automatic route for construction, operation and maintenance railway infrastructure since November 2014.
- The sector has witnessed USD 216.77 million FDI equity inflows during April 2014 to September 2016.
- M/s GE Diesel Locomotive Pvt. Ltd. is setting up a Diesel Locomotive Factory (DLF) at Marhaura, Saran district, Bihar.
- M/s ALSTOM is setting up an Electric locomotive factory at Madhepura, Bihar.
- Indian Railways is the world’s 8th largest employer in the world with a 1.4 million work force.
- Ministry of Railways have signed MoUs/Protocols during the last two years for technical cooperation in the rail sector with (i) Sweden, (ii) France , (iii) Japan, (iv) Russia (v) United Kingdom (vi) Slovak Republic, (vii) Kazakhstan (viii) Canada, (ix) South Korea, (x) China, (xi) Czech Republic and (xii) Germany.
- Indian Railways generated an investment of INR 15,000 through PPP projects during 2015-16, which is highest till date.
- New freight corridors which have been identified are
1. East-West Corridor (2328 km) (Kolkata-Mumbai)
2. North-South Corridor (2343 km) (Delhi-Chennai)
3. East Coast Corridor (1114 km) (Kharagpur Vijaywada)
Reference:
http://pibphoto.nic.in/documents/rlink/2017/jan/p201711801.pdf