Union Budget Allocates Rs 10,376 Crore for Railway Projects in Northeastern States
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Union Budget 2024-25 has allocated Rs 10,376 crore for railway projects in the northeastern states. This allocation is nearly five times higher than the average annual allocation of Rs 2,122 crore during 2009-14.
In a virtual interaction with media representatives from the northeast, Vaishnaw stated that the Gross Budget Allocation for the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) for FY 2024-25 is Rs 14,183.69 crore. NFR General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava highlighted that sufficient funds have been allocated for infrastructure and safety-related works, marking a significant increase compared to previous years.
Shrivastava noted that 921 route kilometers (RKM) were electrified in 2023-24, with a target of electrifying 1,573 RKM in 2024-25. This effort aims to complete the electrification of all northeastern states, with Rs 694.69 crore allocated for this purpose.
The Budget allocations for NFR have seen unprecedented growth in several segments, including Rs 8,378.53 crore for new lines and doubling projects. Emphasizing safety and operations, Rs 1,305.07 crore has been earmarked for track renewal and bridge works, and Rs 170 crore for signaling and telecom works. Additionally, Rs 537 crore has been allocated to enhance passenger amenities at station premises.
Shrivastava also mentioned that 18 railway infrastructure projects spanning 1,368 kilometers, with a total investment of Rs 74,972 crore, are currently underway in the entire northeastern region. Under the Amrit Bharat Stations Scheme, 60 stations will be redeveloped with world-class facilities, including 50 in Assam, four in Tripura, and one each in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim.
Since 2014, a record number of 470 road over bridges and road under bridges have been constructed within NFR’s jurisdiction, replacing existing level crossing gates to enhance safety for both road and rail users.