Big Railway Projects and Budgets Announced by Ashwini Vaishnaw
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared exciting news about India’s railways during a press conference in Delhi. The government has allocated Rs 10,376 crore for the northeastern region’s railways. This includes revamping 60 stations to transform them into Amrit Stations.
Major Budget Allocations
The total railway budget for this year is Rs 2,62,200 crore. Vaishnaw thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for this allocation. Jammu and Kashmir received Rs 3,694 crore for ongoing projects, including work on four stations: Badgam, Jammu Tawi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, and Udhampur.
Uttarakhand and Maharashtra
Uttarakhand’s railway projects received Rs 5,131 crore, with the Karnaprayag project being a key focus. This project includes a 213 km long tunnel, with 171 km already completed. Two Tunnel Boring Machines named ‘Shiv’ and ‘Shakti’ are being used, and the project is expected to be completed by mid-2026.
In Maharashtra, 128 stations will be redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat scheme, and the state has achieved 100% electrification of its railway infrastructure.
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh received Rs 14,738 crore for railway projects, with ongoing projects worth more than Rs 80,000 crore.
Progress Over the Last Decade
Vaishnaw highlighted that the railways have developed significantly in the last ten years. Almost 96% of the railway network is electrified, and 31,000 km of new tracks have been constructed. The pace of track laying has increased from 4 km per day in 2014-15 to 14.54 km per day in 2023-24. Additionally, 41,655 Route Kms have been electrified from 2014 to 2024, compared to 21,413 Route Kms before 2014.
Doubts Revealed
Ashwini Vaishnaw -: Ashwini Vaishnaw is a person who is the Union Railway Minister of India. He is responsible for looking after the railways in the country.
Rs 10,376 crore -: Rs 10,376 crore is a large amount of money. In India, ‘Rs’ stands for Rupees, which is the currency used in the country. ‘Crore’ is a term used in India to represent ten million.
Northeastern railways -: Northeastern railways refer to the railway network in the northeastern part of India. This area includes states like Assam, Meghalaya, and others.
Rs 2,62,200 crore -: Rs 2,62,200 crore is the total amount of money allocated for the entire railway budget in India. This is a very large sum used for various railway projects and improvements.
Jammu and Kashmir -: Jammu and Kashmir is a region in the northern part of India. It is known for its beautiful mountains and valleys.
Uttarakhand -: Uttarakhand is a state in northern India. It is famous for its natural beauty and is home to many Hindu temples.
Madhya Pradesh -: Madhya Pradesh is a large state in central India. It is known for its rich history and cultural heritage.
Maharashtra -: Maharashtra is a state in western India. It is one of the most developed states and includes the city of Mumbai, which is the financial capital of India.
100% electrification -: 100% electrification means that all the railway lines in Maharashtra now use electric trains instead of diesel ones. This is better for the environment.
Railway development -: Railway development refers to the improvements and advancements made in the railway system. This can include building new stations, upgrading old ones, and making trains faster and safer.
