Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday (February 1) announced key initiatives in the 2025 Union Budget, including the manufacturing of 100 non-air-conditioned Amrit Bharat trains for lower-income groups, 50 Namo Bharat trains for short-distance travel, and 200 new Vande Bharat sleeper and chair car trains.Also, the Railways will construct 1,000 new flyovers and underpasses to enhance safety and connectivity. He said the Indian Railways has been allocated ₹2.64 lakh crore in the Union Budget 2025, with ₹4.16 lakh crore earmarked for new projects. The allocation for safety measures has been raised to ₹1.16 lakh crore from ₹1.14 lakh crore.Vaishnaw projected that rail freight volumes will exceed 1.6 billion tonne in FY26. He stated that the cost of salaries, wages, and energy is being met through railway revenues, and cost efficiency is being enhanced through increased electrification. The operating ratio remains between 98-98.5 despite no fare hikes and ₹58,000 crore in fare subsidies.
Also Read: Budget 2025 allocates ₹6,750 crore for economic diplomacyVaishnaw said the total capital allocation for Indian Railways in Budget 2025 stands at ₹2.64 lakh crore, including ₹2.52 lakh crore as budgetary support and private-public partnership (PPP) investments. He mentioned that this allocation would help sustain the momentum in railway infrastructure development over the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.The Budget includes projects worth ₹4.6 lakh crore, covering new railway lines, doubling of tracks, gauge conversion, and completion of electrification, which has already reached 97%. Vaishnaw stated that this investment would enhance every aspect of the rail network, ensuring modernisation and improved passenger amenities.Also Read: Budget 2025 | Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana receives ₹19,000 cr allocation
