indian-railways-spent-76pc-of-budget-in-first-nine-months

The Railways has utilised 76 percent of its budgetary outlay within the first nine months of the current fiscal year, according to a press statement from the ministry.

"According to the latest expenditure report from Indian Railways, up to January 5, 2025, significant investments have been made in capacity augmentation, aimed at making rail travel a world-class experience in India," it added.

The total capital expenditure (Capex) for railways in the Budget Estimate for 2024-25 is Rs 2,65,200 crore, with Gross Budgetary Support of Rs 2,52,200 crore. Of this, Rs 1,92,446 crore has already been spent.

"For rolling stock, the budgetary provision was Rs 50,903 crore, of which Rs 40,367 crore has been spent by 5th January, representing 79 percent of the budget allocated for rolling stock," the ministry said.

"In safety-related works, out of a budgetary allocation of Rs 34,412 crore, Rs 28,281 crore has been spent, which is 82 percent of the allocated amount," it added.

The press release emphasised that the government has prioritised transforming the Railways into a world-class entity, which transports an average of "2.3 crore Indians" daily at an affordable cost.

It noted that the results of consistent capital expenditure (Capex) over the past decade are evident in the form of 136 Vande Bharat trains, nearly 97 percent electrification of broad gauge lines, new track construction, gauge conversion, track doubling, traffic facilities work, investments in PSUs, and metropolitan transport.

The ministry also highlighted the ongoing safety and speed trials of Vande Bharat sleeper trains, stating that rail commuters will soon experience world-class travel on long-distance journeys as well.

"This will revolutionise the overall travel experience. This transformation of Indian Railways would not have been possible without the visionary foresight of a Viksit Bharat and its prompt execution through mission-mode spending on modernisation projects by Indian Railways," the press release concluded.

It added, "Despite challenges such as India’s status as the most populous nation, along with its vast geographical, cultural, and linguistic diversity, Indian Railways is implementing a vision of transformative governance to build a new, modern, and connected India."