NEW DELHI, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The state-owned Indian Railways has for the first time decided to hire as many as 60,000 locomotive pilots and technicians for the country's sprawling train network, instead of the previously stipulated 26,000.

"Government has more than doubled the vacancies for assistant loco pilot & technician posts from 26,502 to 60,000, ensuring more jobs in Railways," Railway Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted.

A senior official said Friday that the vacancies would be filled up soon through proper computer-based exams that the Railways will start conducting from Aug. 9.

"Over four million youths had applied for 26,502 railway jobs. Keeping in view of the number of the applicants, the vacancies have been increased. The Railways will fill up the vacancies that will in turn increase the efficiency of the train network," he said.

The Indian Railways is one of the world's largest train networks, criss-crossing the country from north to south. It operates some 9,000 passenger trains and carries nearly 23 million passengers every day.