The Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) for capital investment in Railways has increased substantially from ₹ 29,055 crore in 2013–14 to ₹ 2.78 lakh crore in 2026–27. This enhanced budgetary support has enabled significant investments in network expansion, safety improvements, passenger amenities, road safety works, technology upgradation and rolling stock augmentation including Vande Bharat manufacturing.

Government has provided Gross Budgetary Support of Rs. 2,78,030 crore in Budget Estimates 2026-27 out of which Rs 79,072 cr has been allocated for construction of new tracks.

Track Infrastructure Upgradation

Strengthening, upgradation, modernisation and improvement of track infrastructure is a continuous and ongoing process over Indian Railways.

Upgradation and renewal of tracks is a continuous and ongoing process. The track renewal is carried out as per the laid down criteria based on age, traffic carried, condition etc.

Track Renewal Works are planned and executed duly prioritizing the condition of track and various other factors so as to ensure that track is safe for running of trains at permitted speed.

The details of track renewal carried out across the entire railway network including Jabalpur to Damoh route via Katni, during 2014-26 (up to Feb’26) are as under:

Total expenditure on Safety related activities for the 2026-27 is estimated to be Rs 1,20,389 cr, out of which Rs 46,189 cr is allocated towards safety of track infrastructure.

Expansion and Popularity of Vande Bharat Train Services

As of now, 81 pairs of Vande Bharat train services (Chair Car) are presently being operated on the Indian Railways network. The variant of Vande Bharat trains has also been developed for long distance travel. As on 25.03.2026, following 01 pair of Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is being operated on the Indian Railways network

Vande Bharat Services have been widely accepted across the country. During 2024-25, the average occupancy of VB trains was approximately 100%.

Better Passenger Amenities

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: Ministry of Railways has launched Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for redevelopment of stations with a long-term approach. Development / Upgradation / Modernization of stations including Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is generally funded under Plan Head-53 ‘Customer Amenities’. The details of allocation and expenditure under Plan Head-53 are maintained Zonal Railway-wise. During the last three years and current year, ₹ 35,207 crore has been incurred so far. The fund allocation of ₹ 12,120 crore (Revised Estimate) has been made for the financial year 2025-26 under Plan Head–53 and expenditure of ₹ 11,892 crore (up to February, 2026) has been incurred so far.

So far, 1,338 stations have been identified for development under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme which includes 157 stations falling under Aspirational Districts. The names of stations identified for development under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme which are located in Aspirational Districts are as following:

Development works at railway stations under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme have been taken up at a good pace. Till now, works have been completed at 208 stations. Names of stations completed so far are as following:

Aishbagh Jn, Alnavar, Amb Andaura, Ambikapur, Amgaon, Anandpur Sahib, Anara, Angamali For Kaladi, Ayodhya Dham Junction, Badami, Bagalkot, Baheri, Baijnath Paprola, Balaghat, Balrampur, Bantawala, Barabhum, Baramati, Bareilly City, Baripada, Barmer, Barpali, Begumpet, Beohari, Bhanupratappur, Bhilai, Bhind, Bijnor, Bimalgarh, Bommidi, Bundi, Byculla, Chalakudi, Champa, Chanda Fort, Changanassery, Chennai Park, Chhindwara, Chidambaram, Chinchpokli, Chinna Salem, Chirayinkeezh, Chunar Jn., Coonoor, Cumbum, Cuttack, Dakor, Dausa, Deeg, Derol, Deshnoke, Devlali, Dhampur, Dharwad, Dhule, Dongargarh, Eluru, Fatehabad, Fatehpur, Fatehpur Shekhawati, Ferok, Gadag, Gangapur City, Godda, Godhra Jn, Gogameri, Gokak Road, Gola Gokarnath, Gomtinagar, Govardhan, Govind Garh, Govindpur Road, Govindpuri, Hafizpeta, Haibargaon, Haldia, Haldibari, Hapa, Harpalpur, Hathras City, Hi-Tech City, Himayatnagar, Hodal, Idgah Agra Jn, Izzatnagar, Jaisalmer, Jam Jodhpur, Jam Wanthali, Joychandi Pahar Jn, Junnor Deo, Kakinada Town Jn, Kalyani Ghoshpara, Kamakhyaguri, Kanalus Jn, Karaikkudi Jn, Karamsad, Karimnagar, Katni South, Kedgaon, Kesinga, Khairthal, Khalilabad, Khambhaliya, Koppal, Kosamba Jn, Kulitturai, Kuttippuram, Lasalgaon, Limbdi, Lohardaga, Lonand Jn, Madhupur Jn, Mahe, Mahuva, Mailani Jn, Mambalam, Manaparai, Mandal Garh, Mandawar Mahwa Road, Mandi Dabwali, Mangalagiri, Mannargudi, Matunga, MCS Chhatarpur, Mithapur, Morappur, Morbi, Muktsar, Munirabad, Muri Jn, Murtizapur Jn, Nainpur Jn, Namakkal, Nandura, Narmadapuram, Narwana Jn, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Itwari Junction, Nidadavolu Jn, Nilambur Road, Okha, Orchha, Palitana, Panagarh, Panki Dham, Parappanangadi, Parel, Parlakhemundi, Pirpainti, Piska, Pokhrayan, Pollachi Jn, Polur, Porbandar, Rajgarh, Rajmahal, Rajula Jn, Ramagundam, Ramghat Halt, Rayanapadu, Sabaur, Saharanpur Jn., Sahibganj, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar Mohali, Samakhiyali, Samalpatti, Sanchi, Sankarpur, Sarona, Savda, Seoni, Shahad, Shajapur, Shivanarayanpur, Sholavandan, Shoranur Jn., Shridham, Siddharth nagar, Sihor Jn., Simultala, Siuri, Somesar, Sri Bala Brahmeswara Jogulamba, Srirangam, Srivilliputtur, St.Thomas Mount, Sullurpeta, Suraimanpur, Swaminarayan Chappia, Talcher, Tamluk, Tanakpur, Thalassery, Thawe, Thiruvarur Jn., Tiruvannamalai, Tripunithura, Tuni, Udagamandalam, Ujhani, Urkura, Utran, Vadakara, Vadala Road, Vidisha, Vindhyachal, Vriddhachalam Jn., Wadakancheri, Warangal.

The activities for development at other stations have also been taken up at good pace and progress of some of the above stations is as given below:

• Bokaro Steel City station: The works of improvement of station building, platform surfacing of platform no. 1, new waiting hall, retiring room, parking, approach road, entry/exit gate, boundary wall, tactile pathway for Divyangjan at platform no. 1 and improvement of Divyangjan toilet at platform no. 2 have been completed. The works of platform surfacing at platform no. 2/3 and escalator have been taken up.
• Vapi station: Development works at Vapi station have been taken up at good pace. The works of extension of platform shelter at platform no. 1 and platform no. 2/3, new toilet block in AC waiting hall, circulating area, parking, dismantling of old Foot Over Bridge have been completed. The work of 12 m Foot Over Bridge has been taken up.
• Thanjavur Junction station: The works of portico, improvement of concourse, platform shelter, improvement of booking office, circulating area, exit arch and signages have been completed. The works of parking, lift, escalator, coach indication board and train indication board have been taken up.
• Jalpaiguri station: The works of extension and platform surfacing of platform no. 1, platform shelter, boundary wall and 12 m Foot Over Bridge have been completed. The works of circulating area, lift and escalator have been taken up.
• Tirupati station: The structural framework of new second entry station building on South side, 2 nos. air concourses and sewage treatment plant have been completed. The finishing works of new second entry station building on South side and air concourses, structural work of station building on North side, platform shelter, lift, escalator etc. have been taken up.
• Bhubaneshwar station: The structural work of new station building at East and West side and air concourse have been completed. The structural work of elevated driveway at East and West side station, extension of Foot Over Bridge and platform shelter have been taken up. The finishing works of new station building at East and West side, works of MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing), HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) and escalators have been taken up.

PPP model: Rani Kamalapati station in Madhya Pradesh has already been developed and commissioned under PPP model. Out of 15 stations identified for redevelopment under PPP model, the bid for redevelopment of Vijayawada station has been invited. The other 14 stations are at various stages of master planning and financial modelling.

Wi-fi Services: Almost all railway stations across Indian Railways have 4G/5G coverage provided by the Telecom Service Providers. These networks are also being utilized by passengers for data connectivity resulting in enhanced passenger experience.  Further, free Wi-Fi services have also been provided at 6117 Railway Stations.

Greener & Environment Friendly Railway: Indian Railways accord high priority to effective waste management including its disposal and segregation, water conservation and energy efficiency in station operations.

Zero discharge Bio-toilets have been fitted in all passenger coaches to prevent falling of fecal matter on railway tracks. The details of provision of bio toilets are as under:

Indian Railways has issued guidelines for adoption of energy efficiency measures in non-traction over Indian Railways incorporating various aspects related to energy efficiency including extensive use of sensor based and timer controlled lighting systems, automatic 30%-70% platform lighting through circuit segregation linked to train movements. In addition to this, Indian Railways has already achieved 100% LED lighting across its offices, Railway stations, service buildings and residential colonies.

Enhanced Coach Manufacturing Capacity

In order to enhance indigenous coach manufacturing capacity to meet the growing demand for modern trains, Indian Railways has taken following action –

• Marathwada Rail Coach Factory (MRCF) at Latur, Maharashtra has been set up at a cost of Rs. 685.79 Cr. The manufacture of 120 nos. Vande Bharat trainsets has been taken up at MRCF, Latur through Technology Partner.
• Also, Indian Railways has taken up the work of setting up of Railway Manufacturing Unit at Kazipet, Telangana at a cost of Rs. 521.36 Cr where  manufacturing of modern Mainline Electric Multiple Units (MEMU) is planned. The work of Rail Manufacturing Unit at Kazipet is at an advanced stage with civil and electrical infrastructure nearing completion.
• Apart from Railway’s own units, presently Public Sector Units like BEML are also engaged in manufacture of Vande Bharat Sleeper & LHB General/ Sleeper class coaches etc.

Improved Safety Performance and Reduction in Train Accidents

Safety is accorded the highest priority on Indian Railways. As a consequence of various safety measures taken over the years, there has been a steep decline in the number of accidents.

Number of Consequential Train Accidents has reduced as shown in the table below:-

Another important index showing improvement in safety in train operations is Consequential Accident Index, the details of which are as under:-

Consequential Accident Index:-

This index measures number of consequential accidents as a ratio of total running kilometers of all trains.

Accident Index  = No. of consequential accidents / No. of trains X million kilometers run

The causes of the accidents that took place over Indian Railways broadly include track defects, loco/coach defects, equipment failures, human errors, etc.

Consequential Train Accidents on Indian Railways and casualties (including railway passengers and railway personnel) therein are as follows:-

Development of Road Over Bridges and Under Bridges for Safer Operations

Sanctioning and execution of works of Road Over Bridges/ Road Under Bridges (ROBs/RUBs) is a continuous and ongoing process on Indian Railways. Such works are prioritized and taken up on the basis of its impact on safety and mobility in train operations and impact on road users.

No. of ROBs/ RUBs constructed on Indian Railways during the period 2004-14 vis a vis 2014-26 (Upto Jan’26) is as under:

As on 01.02.2026, 4,802 Nos. ROBs/ RUBs are sanctioned at a cost of ₹ 1,14,196 Cr on Indian Railways which are at various stages of planning and execution.

Expansion of Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal

In order to encourage setting up of cargo terminals through private investment, ‘Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT)’ policy has been launched in December’2021. So far, 128 Gati Shakti Multi Modals Cargo Terminals (GCTs) have been commissioned and further in-principle approvals (IPAs) for 292 more locations have been given. Zone-wise status is as under-

Under the Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Terminal (GCT) scheme, so far 128 GCTs have been commissioned with an estimated freight handling capacity of 204 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). Approximately Rs. 9183 Cr. private investment has been mobilised under this policy from the 128 commissioned GCTs.

Welfare of Contractual Workforce

Indian Railways (IR) executes a wide range of works for creation, repair and maintenance of its various assets including stations, coaches, wagons, coaching depots, locomotives, tracks, etc. pertaining to various departments namely Mechanical, Commercial, Electrical, Civil Engineering, Signal & Telecommunication, Medical, etc. These works are executed departmentally and/or through outsourcing.

Railways as Principal Employer ensures that the outsourced workers are provided facilities by the agencies as per provisions of Labour Laws and ensure compliance with the Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970 and minimum wages notified by the Central/State Governments under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, and EPF & MP Act, 1952. Compliance of the statutory provisions is ensured through conditions incorporated in the agreements made by the Railways. Suitable guidelines are available for dealing with the cases of violation of the above laws, if any, in accordance with the extant laws and guidelines. Action on complaints of delayed payments/ non payment of salaries is dealt with as per agreement conditions and necessary action as deemed fit is taken against the outsourced agency.

Further, to effectively monitor the contractual obligations, a comprehensive set of measures are taken at various levels. These include mandatory registration of worker details on the Shramik Kalyan Portal, strict adherence to statutory compliances, protection against arbitrary termination of contractual workers, imposition of penalties for any violations detected, organization of workers awareness camps and the establishment of dedicated grievance redressal mechanisms to ensure timely resolution of concerns.

This information was provided by the Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a reply to questions in Lok Sabha today.

 *****

Dharmendra Tewari/ Dr. Nayan Solanki/ Ritu Raj