Railway Budget: In the General Budget 2024-25, more than Rs 42,312 crore has been allocated for the railway projects of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand. In comparison to the UPA government, the budget allocation in these states has increased by 25-30 times in the last ten years. Due to this, new railway tracks are being laid at three times the speed. Except Uttarakhand, 100% electrification of railway tracks has been done in all the above states.
UP got 18 percent more money
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav presented the details of the budget allocated for rail projects state-wise in a press conference held at Rail Bhavan on Wednesday. He told reporters that an average of Rs 1,009 crore was allocated to Uttar Pradesh during the UPA regime. Whereas in the general budget of 2024-25, UP has been given Rs 19,848 crore. Thus, UP has been given 18 percent more money for rail projects. Currently, rail projects worth Rs 92,000 crore are going on in UP. 4,900 km of new railway tracks have been laid in UP in ten years. 1490 RUB-ROBs have been built. At the same time, 157 railway stations are being redeveloped under Amrit Bharat.
92 railway stations in Bihar are being redeveloped
Vaishnav said that Rs 10,033 crore has been allocated for Bihar’s rail projects in the general budget 2024-25. Nine times more budget has been given than during the previous government (average Rs 1132 crore). Earlier, an average of 64 km of new railway tracks were being built, which has now increased to 167 km. 55 rail projects worth Rs 79,000 crore are underway. During the UPA government, 60-65 km of rail tracks were being laid in ten years. Whereas in the 10 years of the Modi government, this figure has reached 1,060 km per year. 92 railway stations of Bihar are being redeveloped.
Most of the work of Rishikesh-Karnprayag railway line is complete
The Railway Minister said that an amount of Rs 5,131 crore has been allocated to the railway projects of Uttarakhand. During the UPA government, an average budget of Rs 187 crore was given. Three projects are underway in the state at a cost of Rs 25,941 crore. 11 railway stations are being developed in the state. Ashwini Vaishnav said that most of the work on the Rishikesh-Karnprayag railway line has been completed.
Work is going on on 32 railway projects in Jharkhand
Vaishnav said that this time a budget of Rs 7,302 crore has been given for the railway projects of Jharkhand. During the UPA government, the average budget allocation was Rs 453 crore. 32 railway projects costing Rs 52885 crore are underway in the state. 436 RUB-ROBs have been built in the state.
Railway Minister denies allegations of neglecting states
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav completely rejected the allegation of neglecting the states in the general budget and said that this time Rs 13,941 crore has been allocated to West Bengal. Whereas during the UPA, an average of Rs 4380 crore was given. Projects worth Rs 60,000 crore are underway. 100 railway stations are being redeveloped. He has appealed to the state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to cooperate in completing the railway projects on time. Help is especially needed in timely land acquisition.
Very little cooperation from Kerala on railway projects
Vaishnav said that the cooperation of the Kerala government in railway projects has been very less. He stressed that a lot can be done in the state, provided the government’s support is received for land acquisition. The Railway Minister made this remark during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha while answering supplementary questions related to the proposed Angamaly-Sabarimala railway line project. Responding to a supplementary question from Congress member Adoor Prakash, Vaishnav said that this is a complex project. The cooperation of the state government is needed to take it forward.
Work on the Wadsa-Gadchiroli project is progressing rapidly
The railway minister said in the Lok Sabha that work has gained momentum for the Wadsa-Gadchiroli railway line in the LWE affected area in Maharashtra after land acquisition and forest clearances. Replying to a supplementary question by Congress member from Gadchiroli-Chimur parliamentary constituency Kirsan Namdev during Question Hour, Vaishnaw said the project is important as it passes through LWE affected areas.
