40,000 railway coaches to be upgraded to Vande Bharat standards, new announcement considering passengers safety

NEW DELHI: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that 40,000 railway coaches will be upgraded to the standard of Vande Bharat trains. The new decision is in view of further improving the comfort and safety of train passengers. The announcement was in the budget presented today.

Nirmala Sitharaman also said that the construction of three major railway corridors in the country will be done soon. The minister added that all these projects are planned to be implemented on the basis of cost-effective multi-modal connectivity.

Meantime, Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the budget that the number of airports in the country will be increased to 149. The minister stated that Indian airlines have placed orders for 1,000 new aircraft.

Other important projects introduced in budget
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana rural scheme continued despite challenges due to Covid. It is close to achieving the target of three crore houses. Two crore more houses will be provided in the next five years.

Up to 300 units of free electricity per month to one crore families through the Purapura solar project.

Asha workers and Anganwadi workers will be included in the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

The government plans to set up more medical colleges utilizing the infrastructure of existing hospitals. A committee will be constituted for this purpose to look into the issues and make relevant recommendations.

In July's full budget, the government will present a detailed roadmap for pursuing a developed Bharat.

Tax rates including import duty will remain unchanged.

The government will give financial assistance for vaccination to prevent cervical cancer. Girls between the ages of 9 and 14 will benefit from this in the next five years.