Lok Sabha Question No. 521 (STARRED), answered on 2026-04-01
Subject: Capital Expenditure Allocation for Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Shambhavi, Shri Arun Bharti

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 521

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026

## CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ALLOCATION FOR RAILWAYS

*521. SMT. SHAMBHAVI: SHRI ARUN BHARTI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Union  Budget  2026-27  has  provided  a  record  capital expenditure allocation of Rs. 2.93 lakh crore for the Railways;
- (b) if so, the detailed breakdown of this allocation directed towards track renewal, electrification and new line construction;
- (c)  the  details  of  funds  allocated,  State-wise  particularly  highlighting  the investments made in Bihar;
- (d)  whether  the  Economic  Survey  2025-26  noted  an  increase  in  the operating ratio of the Railways and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the details of strategic steps taken by the Government to ensure that this  massive  capital  outlay  results  in  timely  completion  of  projects without cost overruns?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  STARRED QUESTION NO.521 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026 IN LOK SABHA

- (a) to  (e):  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.

Capacity  enhancement  of  railway  network  has  been  taken  up  by  Indian Railways in a big way during last 11 years. The details of commissioning / laying of new track across Indian Railways is given below:-

| Period   | New track Commissioned   | Average commissioning of new tracks   |
|----------|--------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| 2009-14  | 7,599 Km                 | 4.2 Km/day                            |
| 2014-25  | 34,428 Km                | 8.6 Km/day (more than 2 times)        |

As  on  01.04.2025,  across  Indian  Railways,  431  Railway  infrastructure projects  (154  New  Line,  33  Gauge  Conversion  and  244  Doubling)  of  total length 35,966 Km, costing approx. Rs. 6.75 lakh crore are sanctioned. The summary is as under:-

| Category                  |   No of Projects | Total Length NL/GC/DL (km)   | Length Commissioned till Mar'25 (Km)   | Total Exp upto Mar'25 (Rs. in Cr)   |
|---------------------------|------------------|------------------------------|----------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| New Lines                 |              154 | 16,142                       | 3,036                                  | 1,45,318                            |
| Gauge Conversion          |               33 | 4,180                        | 2,997                                  | 22,753                              |
| Doubling / Multi-tracking |              244 | 15,644                       | 6,736                                  | 1,22,858                            |
| Total                     |              431 | 35,966                       | 12,769                                 | 2,90,929                            |

Zone-wise/year-wise  details of  all  Railway  projects  are  made  available  in public domain on Indian Railway's website.

Close  monitoring  of  the  progress  of  projects  at  various  levels,  regular follow up with State Governments and relevant authorities for expeditious land acquisition, forestry and wildlife clearances and resolving other issues

pertaining to the projects has helped in completion of various projects in all zones.

Bihar

Railway Budget:

Budget  allocation  for  Infrastructure  projects  and  safety  works,  falling fully/partly in the State of Bihar is as under:

| Period   | Outlay                       |
|----------|------------------------------|
| 2009-14  | ₹1,132 Cr./year              |
| 2025-26  | ₹10,066 Cr. (Nearly 9 times) |

Track construction:

The details of commissioning/laying of new track falling fully/partly in the State of Bihar during 2009-14 and 2014-25 is as under:-

| Period   | New Track Commissioned   | Average Commissioning of new tracks   |
|----------|--------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| 2009-14  | 318 Km                   | 63.6 Km/yr                            |
| 2014-25  | 1,899 Km                 | 172.6 Km/yr(More than 2.5 times)      |

Projects sanctioned:

As on 01.04.2025, 52 projects (31 New Lines, 01 Gauge Conversions and 20 Doubling),  of  a  total  length  of  4,663  km,  costing  ₹86,107  crore,  falling fully/partly in Bihar, are sanctioned. The summary is as under:-

| Category                 |   No of sanctioned Projects | Total Length NL/GC/DL (in Km)   | Length Commissioned till Mar'25 (in Km)   | Total Exp upto Mar'25 (₹ in Cr)   |
|--------------------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| New Lines                |                          31 | 2,691                           | 516                                       | 16,814                            |
| Gauge Conversion         |                           1 | 69                              | 52                                        | 544                               |
| Doubling/Multi- tracking |                          20 | 1,904                           | 446                                       | 11,995                            |
| Total                    |                          52 | 4,663                           | 1,014                                     | 29,353                            |

Zonal Railway wise details of Railway projects are made available in public domain on Indian Railway's website.

## Details of some of the recently completed projects falling fully/partly in the State of Bihar are as under:

|   S.No. | Project                                                                                  | Cost (₹ in Crore)   |
|---------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
|       1 | Munger Bridge (19 km)                                                                    | 2,774               |
|       2 | Kosi Bridge (22 Km)                                                                      | 516                 |
|       3 | Patna Bridge (40 Km)                                                                     | 3,555               |
|       4 | Hajipur-Bachwara Doubling (72 km)                                                        | 930                 |
|       5 | Kiul-Gaya Doubling (123 km)                                                              | 1,200               |
|       6 | KarotaPatner-Mankatha - Surface triangle (8 km)                                          | 129                 |
|       7 | Rampurhat-Mandarhill New Line and Rampurhat- Murarai- 3rd line (160 km)                  | 1,500               |
|       8 | Jaynagar-Darbhanga-Narkatiaganj and Narkatiaganj- Bhikhna Tori Gauge Conversion (295 Km) | 1,193               |
|       9 | Sakri-Laukaha Bazar-Nirmali & Saharsa-Forbesganj Gauge Conversion (206 Km)               | 2,113               |
|      10 | Bakhtiyarpur Flyover (4 Km)                                                              | 402                 |
|      11 | Katareah-Kursela Patch Doubling incl. bridge on river Kosi (7 km)                        | 222                 |
|      12 | Araria-Galgalia New Line (111 Km)                                                        | 4, 415              |

Some of the projects falling  fully/partly  in  the  State  of  Bihar  which  have been taken up are as under:

|   S.No. | Project                                                         | Cost (₹ in Crore)   |
|---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
|       1 | Sitamarhi-Sheohar New Line (28 Km)                              | 567                 |
|       2 | Sakri-Hasanpur New Line (76 Km)                                 | 735                 |
|       3 | Khagaria-Kusheshwarsthan New Line (42 Km)                       | 1,511               |
|       4 | Neora-Daniawan-Biharsharif-Barbigha-Shekhpura New Line (166 Km) | 2,200               |
|       5 | Koderma-Tilaiya New Line (65 Km)                                | 1,626               |
|       6 | Hajipur-Sagauli New Line (151 Km)                               | 2,087               |

|   S.No. | Project                                                                      | Cost (₹ in Crore)   |
|---------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
|       7 | Araria-Supaul New Line (96 Km)                                               | 1,605               |
|       8 | Vikramshila-Katareah New Line with Bridge over RiverGanga(26 Km)             | 2,090               |
|       9 | Pirpainti-Jasidih New Line (97 Km) excluding Hansdiha-Godda New Line (30 Km) | 2,140               |
|      10 | Sonnagar - Patratu multitracking (291 Km)                                    | 5,148               |
|      11 | Samastipur - Darbhanga Doubling (38 Km)                                      | 624                 |
|      12 | Rampur Dumra - Tal-Rajendra Pul-Additional bridge                            | 1,677               |
|      13 | Sagauli-Valmiknagar Doubling (110 Km)                                        | 1,280               |
|      14 | Muzaffarpur-Sagauli Doubling (101 Km)                                        | 1,465               |
|      15 | Barauni- Bachwara 3rd & 4th line (32 Km)                                     | 124                 |
|      16 | Son Nagar - Andal Multi tracking (749 Km)                                    | 12,334              |
|      17 | Bakhtiyarpur-Rajgir-Tilaiya doubling (104 Km)                                | 2,192               |
|      18 | Bakthiyarpur-Fatuha 3rd and 4th line (24 Km)                                 | 931                 |

Completion of Railway project/s depends on various factors which include the following:

-  Land acquisition by State Government
-  Forest clearance
-  Shifting of infringing utilities
-  Statutory clearances from various authorities
-  Geological and topographical conditions of area
-  Law and order situation in the area of project site
-  Number of working months in a year for particular project site etc.

## Track Renewal:

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.

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

The  following  measures  are  being  taken  by  Indian  Railways  to  upgrade railway tracks:

-  Modern  track  structure consisting of 60kg, 90 Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) rails, Wider and heavier Pre-stressed Concrete Sleepers (PSC) with elastic fastening, fan-shaped layout turnout on  PSC sleepers and H- beam Sleepers on girder bridges are being used while carrying out primary track renewals.
-  The Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossings are being used in turnout renewal works.
-  Supply of 260m long rail panels have been increased to avoid welding of joints, thereby improving safety and riding quality.
-  Thick Web Switch Expansion Joints are being used in place of earlier Conventional/Improved SEJs.
-  Adoption of better welding technology for rails i.e. Flash Butt Welding.
-  Adoption  of  mechanized  system  for  track  maintenance  using  high output  plain  tampers  and  points  &  crossing  tampers  for  improved maintainability & reliability of track.
-  Deployment of state-of-the-art modern machines including Rail Grinding Machines to further improve asset reliability.
-  Mechanisation of track laying activities through use of track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc.
-  Interlocking  of  Level  Crossing  (LC)  Gates  for  enhancing  safety  at  LC gates.
-  Use of advanced Phased Array technology of testing of rail and welds.
-  Deployment  of Integrated Track Monitoring Systems  (ITMS) and Oscillation Monitoring System (OMS) for comprehensive health assessment to ascertain optimal maintenance requirements.
-  Adoption of portable Track Measuring Trolley for continuous recording of track parameters in yards.
-  Using  web  enabled  Track  Management  System  (TMS)  for  integration and  data  analytics  of  the  track  inspection  records  received  through various sources to enable precise maintenance inputs.

As a result of above measures, there has been significant increase in speed potential  of  the  tracks.  The  details  of  speed  potential  of  railway  tracks during 2014 vis-a-vis 2026 are as under:

| Sectional Speed   | 2014     | 2014   | 2026 (up to Feb'26)   | 2026 (up to Feb'26)   |
|-------------------|----------|--------|-----------------------|-----------------------|
| (kmph)            | Track Km | %      | Track Km              | %                     |
| 130 & above       | 5,036    | 6.3    | 23,713                | 22.4                  |
| 110 - 130         | 26,409   | 33.3   | 62,036                | 58.7                  |
| < 110             | 47,897   | 60.4   | 19,923                | 18.9                  |
| Total             | 79,342   | 100    | 1,05,672              | 100                   |

## Railway Electrification:

Funding of Railway Electrification has been significantly increased from Rs. 5,545 crore in 2004-14 to Rs. 53,122 crore in 2014-24

-  Electrification of railway network on Indian Railways has been taken up  in  mission  mode.  So  far,  about  99.4%  of  Broad  Gauge  (BG) network has been electrified. The electrification in remaining network has been taken up. Electrification carried out during 201425 and before 2014 is as under:
-  In  Bihar,  100% of BG network has been electrified. Further, all new line  /  multitracking  projects  are  being  sanctioned  and  constructed with electrification.
-  Allocation towards Railway Electrification for 2026-27 is Rs 5,000 cr.

| Period                       | Route Kilometer   |
|------------------------------|-------------------|
| Before 2014 (about 60 years) | 21,801            |
| 2014-25                      | 46,900            |

## Amrit Bharat Stations:

Ministry  of  Railways  has  launched  Amrit  Bharat  Station  Scheme  for redevelopment of stations with a long-term approach. The scheme involves preparation of master plans and their implementation in phases to improve the stations. The master planning includes:

-  Improvement of access to station and circulating areas
-  Integration of station with both sides of city
-  Improvement of station building

-  Improvement  of  waiting  halls,  toilets,  sitting  arrangement,  water booths
-  Provision of wider foot over bridge/air concourse commensurate with passenger traffic
-  Provision of lift/escalators/ramp
-  Improvement /Provision of platform surface and cover over platforms
-  Provision  of  kiosks  for  local  products  through  schemes  like  'One Station One Product'
-  Parking areas, Multimodal integration
-  Amenities for Divyangjans
-  Better passenger information systems
-  Provision  of  executive  lounges,  nominated  spaces  for  business meetings,  landscaping,  etc.  keeping  in  view  the  necessity  at  each station.

The scheme also envisages sustainable and environment friendly solutions, provision of ballastless tracks etc. as per necessity, phasing and feasibility and  creation  of  city  centre  at  the  station  in  the  long  term.  So  far,  1338 stations have been identified for development under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme,  out  of  which  98  stations  are  located  in  Bihar.  The  names  of stations identified for development under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in Bihar are as following:

| State   |   No. of Stations | Name of Stations                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|---------|-------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Bihar   |                98 | Anugraha Narayan Road, Ara, Arariya Court, Bakhtiyarpur, Banka, Banmankhi, BapudhamMotihari, Barahiya, Barauni, Barh, Barsoi Jn, Begusarai, Bettiah, Bhabua Road, Bhagalpur, Bhagwanpur, Bihar Sharif, Bihiya, Bikramganj, Buxar, Chakia, Chausa, Chhapra, Dalsingh Sarai, Darbhanga, Dauram Madhepura, Dehri On Sone, Dholi, Dighwara, Dumraon, Durgauti, Ekma, Fatuha, Gaya, Ghorasahan, Guraru, Hajipur Jn, Jamalpur Jn, Jamui, Janakpur Road, Jaynagar, Jehanabad, Jhanjharpur, Kahalgaon, Karhagola Road, |

| State   | No. of Stations   | Name of Stations                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|---------|-------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         |                   | Katihar Jn, Khagaria Jn, Kishanganj, Kudra, Labha, Laheria Sarai, Lakhminia, Luckeesarai Jn, Madhubani, Maheshkhunt, Mairwa, Mansi Jn, Masrakh, Mokama, Motipur, Munger (Monghyr), Muzaffarpur Jn, Nabinagar Road, Narkatiaganj Jn, Naugachia, Nawadah, Paharpur, Patliputra, Patna Jn, Piro, Pirpainti, Rafiganj, Raghunathpur, Rajendra Nagar Terminal (Patna), Rajgir, Ram Dayalu Nagar, Raxaul, Sabaur, Sagauli, Saharsa, Sahibpur Kamal, Sakri, Salauna, Salmari, Samastipur, Sasaram, Shahpur Patoree, Shivanarayanpur, Simri Bakhtiyarpur, Simultala, Sitamarhi, Siwan, Sonpur Jn., Sultanganj, Supaul, Taregna, Thakurganj, Thawe |

## Completed Stations:

Development  works  at  railway  stations  under  Amrit  Bharat  Station Scheme in Bihar have been taken up at a good pace. Details of stations completed in Bihar are as under:

| State   |   No. of stations | Name of stations                                     |
|---------|-------------------|------------------------------------------------------|
| Bihar   |                05 | Pirpainti, Sabaur, Shivanarayanpur, Simultala, Thawe |

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

-  Barsoi Junction station: The works of dismantling of old quarters and shifting  of  utilities  have  been  completed.  The  works  of  station building, circulating area and 12m Foot Over Bridge have been taken up.
-  Kishanganj  station:  The  works  of  platform  surfacing  at  platform no.1&2,  drinking  water  taps  at  platform  no.  1&2,  improvement  of circulating area, parking at second  entry,  approach road and

- boundary wall have been completed. The works of horticulture and 12m Foot Over Bridge have been taken up.
-  Salmari  station:  The  works  of  improvement  of  station  building, extension and raising of platform no.1 andplatform shelter at platform  no.1  have  been  completed.  The  works  of  circulating  area and 3 m Foot Over Bridge have been taken up.
-  Thakurganj station: The works of raising of platform no. 1, platform surfacing  at  platform  no.  2,  platform  shelter  at  platform  no.  1  &  2 and12m  Foot  Over  Bridge  have  been  completed.  The  works  of platform surfacing at platform no. 1, toilet at platform no. 2, coach indication board and train indication board have been taken up.
-  Further,  development  /  redevelopment  /  upgradation  /  modernisation  of stations  on  Indian  Railways  is  a  continuous  and  ongoing  process  and works in this regard are undertaken as per requirement, subject to interse  priority  and  availability  of  funds.  Development  /  redevelopment  / upgradation / modernisation of a station is carried out based on category of station/condition/traffic handled etc.
-  Indian Railways has a well established mechanism to monitor implementation of projects including their reviews, inspection, check for quality  of  works  and  audits.  Works  are  carried  out  adhering  to  the standards  and  specifications  laid  down  in  various  codes  and  manuals. Inspections/audits/checks are carried out from time to time by various agencies/officials/multi-disciplinary teams as per laid down instructions and  actions  for  correction  including  damages  are  taken  immediately. This is a continuous and ongoing process.
-  Development  /  Upgradation  of  railway  stations  is  complex  in  nature involving  safety  of  passengers  &  trains  and  requires  various  statutory clearances such as fire clearance, heritage, tree cutting, airport clearance etc. The progress also gets affected due to brownfield related challenges  such  as  shifting  of  utilities  (involving  water/sewage  lines, optical fibre cables, gas pipe lines, power/signal cables, etc.), infringements, operation of trains without hindering passenger movement,  speed  restrictions due to works  carried out in close proximity of tracks and high voltage power lines, etc. and these factors affect the completion time.

-  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 and not work-wise or station-wise or state-wise. Bihar is covered under the jurisdiction of four railway  zones,  namely,  Eastern  Railway,  Northeast  Frontier  Railway, North  Eastern  Railway  and  East  Central  Railway.  For  these  zones,  an allocation of ₹ 1,828 crore has been made for the financial year 2025-26, out of which an expenditure (up to January, 2026) of ₹ 1,793 crore has been incurred so far.

## Operating Ratio:

Railway's  operating  ratio  in  2024-25  was  98.22%.  Indian  Railway  after meeting  all the Revenue  Expenditure,  including  pension  expenditure, generated a modest surplus of Rs. 2660 cr. in 2024-25.

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