The Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a virtual press conference addressed the media persons from the North Eastern Region today to elaborate on the key announcements made in the Railway Budget 2024-25.
The press conference was held to provide further clarity and insights into the budget allocations and initiatives aimed at transforming the Indian Railways and empower the Northeast Frontier Railways.
During the press conference, the Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to modernizing the rail network and ensure rapid pace of expansion of railway tracks in the North Eastern Region in line with the Act East Policy. The Minister also answered questions from the media, providing additional details on various aspects of the budget including infrastructure development and passenger safety measures.
The Minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister and Union Finance Minister for record allocation of Rs. 2,62,200 crores as capital expenditure for Railways. The Minister also highlighted that Rs. 10, 376 crores have been earmarked for the North Eastern Region in FY 2024-25 which is a 5 times increase from the annual average budget outlay during the period 2009-14. He added that Rs. 74,972 crores have already been allocated for 18 ongoing projects involving new tracks of 1,368 kms.
Some key highlights for the railway budget for North-Eastern Region in 2024-25 are as follows:
● Increased budget outlay of Rs. 10,376 crores for the North Eastern Region
● 173 kms of new tracks per year (average) during 2014-24 period as compared to only 67 kms per year during 2009-14.
● Electrification of 142 kms of tracks per year (average) during 2014-24. This figure was NIL during 2009-2014.
● Development of 60 stations as Amrit Stations
Arunachal Pradesh (1): Naharlagun (Itanagar)
Assam (50) : Amguri, Arunachal, Chaparmukh, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Diphu, Duliajan, Fakiragram Jn., Gauripur, Gohpur, Golaghat, Gosai gaon hat, Guwahati, Haibargaon, Harmuti, Hojai, Jagi Road, Jorhat Town, Kamakhya Jn, Kokrajhar, Lanka, Ledo, Lumding Jn, Majbat, Makum Jn, Margherita, Mariani Jn, Murkongselek, Naharkatiya, Nalbari, Namrup, Narangi, New Bongaigaon Jn, New Haflong, New Karimganj Jn, New Tinsukia Jn, North Lakhimpur, Pathshala, Rangapara North Jn, Rangiya Jn, Sarupathar, Sibsagar Town, Silapathar, Silchar, Simaluguri, Tangla, Tinsukia, Udalguri, Viswanath Chariali
Manipur (1): Imphal
Meghalaya (1): Mendi Pathar
Mizoram (1): Sairang (Aizawl)
Nagaland (1): Dimapur
Sikkim (1): Rangpo
Tripura (4): Agartala, Dharmanagar, Kumarghat, Udaipu
● Construction of 470 rail flyovers & under-bridges since 2014
The Minister emphasized the government’s focus on making Indian Railways a world-class transportation network, while also promoting economic growth and job creation.
After the Ministers address, Chetan Shrivastava, GM, NFR informed that adequate fund has been allotted for all infrastructure & safety related works as compared to previous years. The GM announced that that electrification of 921 RKM was done during 2023-24. 1573 RKM of tracks are targeted to be electrified during 2024-25. This will complete the electrification of all the N. E. States. Rs. 694.69 crores have been allocated for electrification works over N. F. Railway.
This year budget allocation shows unprecedented growth in several segments for N. F. Railway. Around 8378.53 crores have been allocated for new line and doubling projects. Keeping safety and operations on top priority, Rs. 1305.07 crores have been allocated for track renewal works and bridge works and Rs. 170 crores for signalling & telecom works. Rs. 537 crores have been allocated to improve passenger amenities in stations premises.
