Indian Railways has unveiled a significant enhancement in its infrastructure and development projects for Punjab, reflecting a robust commitment to modernising the rail network and bolstering regional connectivity. According to a Press Information Bureau press release, the budget allocation for Punjab’s railways has seen a tremendous increase. The annual average budget outlay has surged from 225 crore rupees during 2009–2014 to an impressive 5,147 crore rupees for the 2024–25 fiscal year. This 23-fold rise underscores the government’s intensified efforts to upgrade railway infrastructure in Punjab.
The average annual construction of new tracks has increased from 29 km between 2009 to 2014 to 35 km during the last ten years, and 163 km of tracks electrified per year, by which 100 percent electrification of railway tracks has been completed in the state. Currently, there are 12 ongoing projects aimed at constructing new tracks across a total of 1,158 km, with an investment of 19, 843 crore rupees. Moreover, 30 stations across the state are set to be developed as ‘Amrit’ stations. Since 2014, a total of 366 rail flyovers and underbridges have been constructed, contributing to improved safety and reduced traffic congestion.
