Railway Budget 2025-26: Marks a transformative phase for Indian railway travel – Ashwini Vaishnaw

By R Anil Kumar

• Railway Budget 2025 Highlights: Indian Railways received an allocation of Rs 2.52 lakh crore in Budget 2025-26, with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announcing the approval of significant projects including 17,500 general coaches, 200 Vande Bharat and 100 Amrit Bharat trains

• The Union Budget 2025-26 aims to enhance Rail infrastructure, safety, and passenger experience

• Introduction of new Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Namo Bharat trains, along with significant investment in safety and sustainability, marksa transformative phase for Indian railway travel

Looking ahead to FY 2025-26, a total capital expenditure of ₹2,65,200 crore has been earmarked for the Railways, a substantial increase compared to ₹45,900 crore allocated during the FY 2009-14 period.

Highlighting the benefits of Railway Budget to the common man, via video-conference, the Railway Minister pointed that the introduction of 200 new Vande Bharat trains, 100 Amrit Bharat trains, and 50 Namo Bharat rapid rail services over the next two to three years, is one of the budget’s most intriguing announcements.

Additionally, the Railways plans to introduce 50 new Namo Bharat trains with a focus on connecting cities located 100-200 kilometers apart, each consisting of 16 coaches (both AC & Non-AC Coaches). Furthermore, 100 Amrit Bharat trains (Non-AC) will be launched, providing affordable and accessible travel options.

In addition, 17,500 additional general coaches without air conditioning will be installed, increasing accessibility for tourists, Vaishnaw said.

Over the next five years, conventional ICF coaches will be replaced with LHB coaches, enhancing passenger safety. The first Vande Sleeper train is currently undergoing testing, and 50 Vande Sleeper trains will be manufactured between 2025-27, with a total of 200 rakes set to be produced.

The construction of new railway lines will proceed at an accelerated pace, with a budget of ₹32,235.24 crore in FY 2025-26. Additionally, ₹4,550 crore has been allocated for gauge conversion in FY 2025-26, Rolling stock has been capped at ₹57,693 crore for FY 2025-26. A major push is also being made for the doubling of tracks, with a marked budget of ₹32,000 crore in FY 2025-26.

These projects have the potential to revolutionise rail travel by providing customer with both elegance and affordability, he stated.

Providing further inputs, Vaishnaw said, the budget has earmarked INR 4,60,000 crore for railway infrastructure projects, ensuring faster and more efficient train services.

A significant portion—INR 1,16,000 crore—is dedicated to railway safety enhancements, which will include modernized signalling systems track upgrades, and additional safety measures to prevent accidents, he added.

In FY 2025-26, safety-related initiatives for the Railways will receive significant attention with a budget allocation of ₹1,16,514 crore. This includes critical projects such as track renewal, signalling upgrades, telecom improvements, and the construction of new railway points and crossings. Over the coming years, 1,000 Road Over Bridges (RoBs) and Road Under Bridges (RuBs) will be constructed to enhance connectivity and safety.

Vaishnaw stressed in his remarks following the budget announcement that railway improvements would create jobs in addition to improving connectivity.

It is anticipated that the increased investment will result in the creation of thousands of new employment, ranging from operational to railway construction. In order to maintain the financial viability of current and upcoming projects, the budget also allocates INR 706 crore for market borrowing and debt servicing.

Indian Railways is expected to become the world’s second-largest goods carrier by the end of the current fiscal year, transporting an estimated 1.6 billion tonnes of cargo, he stated.

By 2047, the government intends to construct a 7,000-kilometer high-speed rail network, enabling trains to reach speeds of up to 250 km per hour. Through improving the efficiency of logistics, this initiative will revolutionise passenger travel and promote economic growth, Vaishnaw informed.

In line with India’s commitment to sustainability, Indian Railways is set to achieve 100% electrification by the end of FY 2025-26. The budget also highlights a push towards small modular reactors or non-fossil energy, which could make Indian Railways a global leader in green transportation, the Railway Minister said.

With this budget, Indian Railways is poised for unprecedented growth. From modern trains and enhanced safety to job creation and sustainability, the government’s vision for rail development will transform travel in India, making it faster, safer, and more, for millions of its people, Vaishnaw said.