Special Correspondent
Maharashtra: The Hon’ble Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced a record budget allocation of Rs. 23,778 crores for Maharashtra in the 2025-26 Railway Budget, marking a nearly 20-fold increase compared to the average annual allocation of Rs. 1,171 crores between 2009 and 2014.
The announcement was made via video conference, with key officials, including Shri Dharam Veer Meena, General Manager of Central Railway, and Divisional Railway Managers from Mumbai, Bhusaval, Nagpur, Pune, Solapur, and Nanded, participating from their respective headquarters. Media representatives from various regions also joined virtually.
Major Developments and Projects in Maharashtra
The Railway Minister highlighted Maharashtra’s leadership in railway development, supported by a tripartite agreement between the Railways, the State Government, and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Under this agreement, the RBI will fund the state’s share of joint railway projects, accelerating their completion.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, redevelopment work is underway at 132 stations across the state. Additionally, Rs. 1.7 lakh crore worth of projects are currently in progress, including Rs. 17,107 crore worth of initiatives in Mumbai alone, spanning 301 km of track. Key projects include:
CSMT – Kurla 5th & 6th line
Panvel – Karjat double-line suburban corridor
Airoli – Kalwa elevated corridor
Kalyan – Asangaon 4th line
Kalyan – Kasara 3rd line
Kalyan – Badlapur 3rd & 4th line
Nilje – Kopar double chord line
Capacity enhancements are also planned for key terminals such as CSMT, Parel, LTT, Kalyan, and Panvel to accommodate growing passenger demands.
Technological Advancements and Safety Measures
The Railway Ministry has launched a Super App integrating multiple railway services, with the beta version now available on Google Play Store.
To bolster safety, Rs. 1.16 lakh crore has been allocated for safety measures, with plans for the deployment of Kavach 4.0, a collision prevention system, on all broad-gauge tracks of Central Railway.
Regarding high-speed rail, Vaishnaw noted that 340 km of track has been completed, with progress on the BKC station and undersea tunnel moving swiftly.
Train Manufacturing and Future Expansion
In a push for modernization, 50 Namo Bharat trains, 100 Amrit Bharat trains, and 200 Vande Bharat trains will be manufactured in the current financial year.
Commitment to Railway Transformation
Dharam Veer Meena assured that Central Railway would prioritize safety and efficiency enhancements. The Railway Ministry’s unprecedented allocation demonstrates its commitment to transforming Maharashtra’s railway infrastructure and delivering a safer, more efficient travel experience for passengers.
