New Delhi, April 12 (ANI): The Ministry of Railways has sanctioned 100 railway projects in FY 2025–26 with a total investment of Rs 1.53 lakh crore, marking a significant increase in infrastructure expansion.
According to the ministry, the projects include a record expansion of over 6,000 kilometers of railway network, reflecting a sharp rise compared to the previous year.
“A total investment of Rs 1.53 lakh crore has been committed across these projects, covering more than 6,000 kilometers of railway network. This marks a historic milestone in railway expansion,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry highlighted substantial year-on-year growth in approvals and spending. Compared to FY 2024–25, project approvals have increased by 56 percent, route coverage has surged by more than 114 percent, and financial commitment has risen by over 110 percent.
The projects include new railway lines, as well as doubling and multitracking works aimed at easing congestion and improving services.
“These are strategically aimed at decongesting saturated routes, improving punctuality, and enhancing passenger experience while expanding connectivity to underserved regions,” the ministry said.
The expansion will span most major states, with Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh identified as key focus areas due to their importance in freight and passenger movement.
The ministry also emphasized improved connectivity in remote and tribal regions, noting that the projects aim to enhance access to markets, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.
Several large-scale initiatives form part of the expansion, with more than 35 projects exceeding Rs 1,000 crore, serving as the backbone of corridor-level upgrades.
The investment push aligns with efforts to improve freight capacity and logistics efficiency under the Mission 3000 MT initiative, which seeks to significantly enhance cargo movement, particularly for coal and minerals, and strengthen port connectivity.
The ministry said the investment is expected to generate employment, boost demand in core sectors such as steel and cement, and reduce logistics costs nationwide.
Describing the initiative as transformative, the ministry stated, “This is not incremental progress—this is India laying the tracks for its next economic leap.” (ANI)
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