Tue Jan 28 15:37:29 IST 2025: ## India’s Budget 2025 to Boost Railway Modernization with Over ₹3 Lakh Crore Investment
**New Delhi, [Date]** – The Indian government is expected to allocate over ₹3 lakh crore (approximately $36 billion USD) to the Indian Railways in the upcoming Budget 2025, according to a senior Railway Board official. This significant increase from the ₹2.65 lakh crore allocated in Budget 2024 will focus on infrastructure upgrades, network expansion, and the production of high-speed trains.
The funds will primarily support the expansion of the ambitious 16,900-kilometer semi-high-speed corridor project under the Amrit Bharat initiative. This will connect major cities including Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jammu & Kashmir, and Bengaluru with semi-high-speed rail connectivity, facilitating the operation of Vande Bharat Express (including sleeper versions), and Amrit Bharat trains.
The investment will also expedite the electrification, renovation, and gauge conversion of existing railway lines, as well as the construction of new lines and track doubling/tripling projects. Furthermore, it aims to increase the speed of existing trains and introduce new passenger services.
The increased budget will facilitate the production of over 260 Vande Bharat sleeper coaches, over 504 Vande Bharat chair car coaches, and 110 Amrit Bharat trains. Upgrades to 54,337 kilometers of railway lines will allow for maximum speeds of 110 kmph for mail/express trains, while fencing will be improved on 21,813 kilometers of track to enable speeds of 130 kmph.
This substantial investment underscores the government’s commitment to providing safer and faster rail travel for Indian citizens, significantly modernizing the nation’s railway infrastructure.
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