Indian Railways has significantly boosted its financial commitment towards the expansion and modernization of its network. For the fiscal year 2024-25, the government has allocated nearly six times the amount compared to the previous decade, earmarking Rs 68,634 crore for projects related to new lines, gauge conversion, and doubling.
This increase in funding aims to expedite the development of crucial infrastructure across the country. As of April 2024, Indian Railways is overseeing 488 infrastructure projects, spanning a total length of 44,488 km. These projects, with an estimated cost of Rs 7.44 lakh crore, include 187 new lines, 40 gauge conversions, and 261 doubling initiatives. In the last ten years, the railways has successfully commissioned 31,180 km of new lines, doubling, and gauge conversion, more than doubling the pace of development compared to 2009-14.
During the 2014-24 period, Indian Railways has made remarkable strides, commissioning an average of 8.54 km of track per day, compared to just 4.2 km daily in the 2009-14 period. In 2023-24 alone, 5,309 km of infrastructure was commissioned, with the focus on enhancing the overall capacity and connectivity of the rail network.
The northeastern region has also seen substantial growth, with an increase in budget allocation by five times, now standing at Rs 10,376 crore for 2024-25. The region has seen commissioning of 1,728 km of track from 2014-24, a significant rise from the 333 km commissioned in 2009-2014. Additionally, the Indian Railways has focused on improving project execution across the northeast, which includes ongoing works in Assam, such as the Agthori-Dekargaon rail line, which was recently sanctioned.
The completion of these projects hinges on multiple factors, including land acquisition, environmental clearances, and coordination with state governments. Nevertheless, the overall commitment from Indian Railways underscores the government’s dedication to boosting connectivity and enhancing transportation infrastructure to cater to the growing demands of the nation.
This announcement comes as part of India’s larger infrastructure push, aligning with the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ initiative that celebrates India’s growth and development across multiple sectors.