New Delhi: Finance Minister Piyush Goyal announced Friday a capital expenditure allocation of Rs 1.58 lakh crore for the Railways, the highest ever for the national transporter, in an effort to put its flagging revenues back on track.
Last year, then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had allocated an amount of Rs 1.48 lakh crore for the Railways in his budget.
Goyal, who is also the Railway minister, said so far 2018-2019 has been the safest for the Indian Railways and all unmanned level crossings on the broad gauge network have been completely eliminated.
“Capital expenditure programme of the Railways is at all-time high of Rs 1.58 lakh crore in next financial year. ‘Vande Bharat Express’, the indigenously developed semi-high speed train, will give Indian passengers world class experience.
“This major leap in wholly developed technology by our engineers will give an impetus to the ‘Make in India’ programme and create jobs,” Goyal said in his debut budget speech.
The budget estimates under revenue for the year 2019-20 (gross) is Rs 2,72,705.68 crore, recording an increase of Rs 22,854.67 crore over the revised estimates of Rs 2,49,851.01 crore for 2018-19.
In the budget, funds of Rs 7,255 crore have been allocated for construction of new lines, Rs 2,200 crore for gauge conversion, Rs 700 crore for doubling, Rs 6,114.82 crore for rolling stock and Rs 1,750 crore for signalling and telecom.
No railway fare hike was announced in the Railway Budget for 2019. It is expected, keeping in mind the upcoming Lok Sabha elections soon.
Developing passenger amenities has been allocated a sum of Rs 3,422 crores which is an additional outlay of around Rs 1,000 crore for the comfort of rail users.
PTI
