From trains to flyovers: Announcements for Railways in Budget 2025
What's the story
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has revealed key initiatives for Indian Railways in the Budget 2025.
The budget includes plans for the production of 100 Amrit Bharat trains (designed for lower-income groups), 50 Namo Bharat trains (for short-distance travel), and 200 new Vande Bharat sleeper and chair car trains.
A sum of ₹2.64 lakh crore has been allocated to Indian Railways this year.
Infrastructure boost
Safety and connectivity receive significant budget allocation
The Union Budget 2025 has earmarked ₹1.16 lakh crore for enhancing railway security, a substantial increase from the earlier ₹1.14 lakh crore.
This fund will be used to build 1,000 new flyovers and underpasses to enhance safety and connectivity across the rail network.
Vaishnaw projects that these measures will see rail freight volumes surpass 1.6 billion tons in FY26.
Financial stability
Operating ratio remains stable despite no fare hikes
Despite no fare rises and ₹58,000 crore in fare subsidies, the operating ratio of Indian Railways stays stable between 98-98.5.
The full capital allocation for Indian Railways in Budget 2025 is ₹2.64 lakh crore, including ₹2.52 lakh crore as budgetary support and private-public partnership (PPP) investments.
Vaishnaw claimed the allocation would help sustain the momentum in railway infrastructure development over the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
Project outline
Budget outlines several projects
The Budget details projects with an emphasis on new railway lines, doubling of tracks, gage conversion, and electrification completion at 97%.
Vaishnaw stressed these investments will modernize the rail network and enhance passenger amenities.
He also announced that India will witness "200 new Vande Bharat trains, 100 Amrit Bharat trains, 50 Namo Bharat rapid rail and 17,500 general non-AC coaches," in the next two to three years.
Future plans
India's high-speed rail network and electrification goals
India hopes to build a 7,000km high-speed rail network by 2047 with speeds reaching 250km/h.
Vaishnaw reiterated that Indian Railways will be fully electrified by the end of FY 2025-26.
This objective is in line with the sustainability measures mentioned in the Budget, including small modular reactors as a non-fossil energy source.
These plans highlight India's commitment to modernizing its Railways while being environmentally sustainable.