Guwahati, Feb 3: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today said 1824 kilometres of new railway tracks have been laid in Northeast India, surpassing the entire rail network of Sri Lanka. The development underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing connectivity in the region, a key focus highlighted by the minister during a virtual interaction with media persons from the Northeast.
Vaishnaw revealed that the Union Budget for 2025-26 has allocated an unprecedented Rs. 10,440 crores for railway infrastructure development in the Northeast. With the total rail network in the Northeast now exceeding that of Sri Lanka, this historic increase in funding, more than five times higher than the average allocation during the 2009-2014 period, aims to drive transformative changes in the region’s rail network.
Despite challenging terrain and geographical constraints, the Northeast has seen significant progress in railway projects. Since 2014, in addition to the extensive track expansion, 478 new flyovers and underpasses have been constructed. The implementation of Kavach safety systems on 1189 Route Kilometers is underway, further reinforcing the commitment to passenger safety.
General Managers of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Chetan Kumar Shrivastava and Arun Kumar Choudhary, participated in the virtual session. They provided updates on ongoing projects, including the planned revamp of 92 stations under the Amrit Bharat Stations Scheme. The complete electrification of tracks within the NFR jurisdiction is targeted for December 2025, with the Bhairabi-Sairang project in Mizoram expected to be completed by July 2025.
This substantial investment will support a wide range of initiatives, including the construction of new lines, track renewals, bridge upgrades, signalling improvements, and enhanced customer amenities. These projects are expected to bolster connectivity, improve passenger experiences, and contribute to the socioeconomic development of the region.
The Minister emphasized that Indian Railways continues its mission to provide faster, safer, and more comfortable travel options nationwide, with a total budget allocation of over Rs. 2.65 lakh crores for the second consecutive year. Plans include the rollout of 200 new Vande Bharat trains, 100 Amrit Bharat trains, and 50 Namo Bharat rapid rails, designed to cater specifically to lower and middle-class passengers.
