Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw outlines record investment roadmap for a future-ready Indian Railways
Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Minister of Railways, addressed a press conference today (02.02.2026) through Video Conferencing on the Railway Budget, highlighting unprecedented investments and major expansion initiatives aimed at transforming India’s rail infrastructure, including Jharkhand.
In his address, the Hon’ble Minister announced that a record allocation of ?2,78,000 crore has been made for Indian Railways in the current Budget, underscoring the Government’s strong commitment towards modernization, capacity enhancement and infrastructure development. Jharkhand has witnessed a historic rise in railway investment, with the average annual allocation increasing nearly sixteen times from ?457 crore during 2009–14 to ?7,536 crore in 2026–27.
Highlighting infrastructure transformation in the state, the Hon’ble Minister informed that railway works worth ?63,470 crore are currently under progress in Jharkhand, covering track creation, station redevelopment and safety enhancement works across the state.
A landmark announcement was reiterated regarding the introduction of the high-speed rail corridor between Varanasi and Siliguri via Patna, which will facilitate the running of bullet trains in the future. This corridor will significantly enhance high-speed connectivity across eastern India, including Jharkhand, and is further planned to be extended up to Guwahati, creating a strong high-speed rail backbone for the region.
The Hon’ble Minister also announced the construction of the Dankuni–Surat Dedicated Freight Corridor, a strategic logistics project that will benefit Jharkhand along with West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. This corridor is expected to improve freight efficiency, reduce transit time and strengthen industrial supply chains, particularly supporting Jharkhand’s coal, steel and mineral-based industries.
Highlighting passenger service expansion, Shri Vaishnaw informed that premium train services have expanded significantly in Jharkhand, with 12 pairs of Vande Bharat Express and 4 pairs of Amrit Bharat Express currently operational, enhancing travel efficiency, safety and passenger comfort across the state.
Under the Amrit Station Scheme, 57 railway stations in Jharkhand have been identified for complete redevelopment with a total investment of ?2,153 crore. Redevelopment works have already been completed at 8 stations, namely Govindpur Road (Phase-I), Rajmahal, Sankarpur, Sahebganj, Madhupur, Godda, Lohardaga and Piska, while remaining stations are at various stages of execution to provide modern passenger amenities and upgraded infrastructure.
The Hon’ble Minister further highlighted rapid network expansion in Jharkhand. Since 2014, approximately 1,400 km of new railway tracks have been constructed, which is more than the entire rail network of the UAE. Jharkhand has also achieved 100% railway electrification, with 946 km of rail lines electrified, along with the construction of 486 flyovers and underpasses to enhance safety and eliminate level crossings. In addition, works related to the Kavach train collision avoidance system are in progress over 917 route kilometres, against a total sanctioned length of 1,907 route kilometres.
After the press brief by the Hon’ble Railway Minister, Shri Sudhir Kumar Sharma, Divisional Railway Manager, Asansol Division, also interacted with media persons and held a cordial discussion on various development works and achievements of Asansol Division of Eastern Railway in Jharkhand in particular and Indian Railways in general.
Recent News
Most Viewed
Entertainment
Economy
- September 24, 2025
Google - Microsoft's alternative homegrown 'Zoho'
Lifestyle
- September 29, 2025
CMERI showcase e-tractor for Bengal farmers in puja pandal
Education
- September 24, 2025
Touch of Humanity in the Joy of Durga Puja
Economy
