UP to get lion’s share of Railways modernisation funds

Lucknow, Feb 6 (KNN) In the rail budget 2023-24, Uttar Pradesh will be allocated Rs 17,507 crore, the highest amongst all states, informed Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The government has allocated Rs 2,40,000 crore to the Indian Railways in Union Budget 2023-24.This year’s rail budget is almost 9 times from 2013-2014 and it marks a 51 per cent increase from 2022-23.

Next highest share will be given to Madhya Pradesh with Rs 13,607 crore followed by Rajasthan Rs 9532 crore, Uttarakhand Rs 5400 crore, Punjab Rs 4762 crore, Delhi Rs 2477 crore, Haryana Rs 2247 crore, Himachal Pradesh Rs 1838 crore, Rajasthan Rs 9532 crore, Bihar Rs 8505 crore and Chandigarh Rs 452 crore.

The Railways is planning to refurbish more than 1,000 coaches of these premier trains. The interiors of these coaches will be modernized and passenger comfort will be improved. According to Railways, Rs 51,510 crore will be spent for rolling stock production.

The construction of the country's first hydrogen train, developed entirely in India, will be completed by December 2023, according to the Railways. The hydrogen train will be operationalised in the first phase on heritage lines such as the Kalka-Shimla railway section. Railways has a target of running 35 new hydrogen trains in the next three years.

To promote green energy, Railways will now set up Ultra Mega Solar Plant. Moving towards zero carbon emission to reduce pollution, Railways is constantly emphasizing on rail electrification.

According to the Union Railway Minister, the Centre this time has allocated Rs 3,596 crore for the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), while it was Rs 4,710 crore in the current financial year 2022-23.  (KNN Bureau)