Railway Budget 2024-2025: Focus on Safety and Infrastructure Enhancement
The Railway Budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025 was unveiled today, spotlighting substantial allocations towards safety-related activities and capital expenditures aimed at fortifying India’s railway network. With a strategic focus on enhancing safety measures and infrastructure development, the budget outlines comprehensive expenditures and financial allocations across various operational categories.
Expenditure Breakdown: Reinforcing Safety and Infrastructure
The Railway Budget 2024-2025 delineates a detailed expenditure profile aimed at optimizing resource allocation while prioritizing safety and operational efficiency:
Revenue Expenditure: Operational Costs and Maintenance
- General Superintendence and Services: The budget allocates ₹10,277.30 crore for general superintendence and administrative services, essential for overseeing railway operations and management.
- Repairs and Maintenance:
- Permanent Way and Works: ₹21,385.74 crore is earmarked for maintaining and upgrading railway tracks and infrastructure, ensuring safe and efficient train operations.
- Motive Power and Rolling Stock: Allocations for motive power and rolling stock maintenance stand at ₹8,042.81 crore and ₹24,350.69 crore respectively, crucial for maintaining the fleet’s operational readiness.
- Operating Expenses:
- Traffic Management and Fuel: Significant investments in traffic management (₹46,709.08 crore) and fuel expenditures (₹34,778.71 crore) underscore the operational costs associated with running the extensive railway network efficiently.
- Staff Welfare and Miscellaneous Expenses: ₹10,185.56 crore is allocated towards staff welfare and miscellaneous working expenses, supporting employee well-being and operational contingencies.
- Provident Fund and Retirement Benefits: Pension funds and retirement benefits receive ₹72,175.87 crore, reflecting the railway’s commitment to its workforce’s financial security.
- Ordinary Working Expenses: Net ordinary working expenses from revenue are projected at ₹2,05,000.00 crore, encompassing all operational costs essential for day-to-day railway operations.
Capital Expenditure: Infrastructure Development
The budget emphasizes substantial investments in infrastructure development to enhance capacity and safety:
- New Lines, Gauge Conversion, and Doubling of Lines: ₹34,602.75 crore, ₹4,719.50 crore, and ₹29,312.19 crore respectively are allocated for expanding railway lines and improving connectivity across regions.
- Safety Enhancement Projects: Investments in safety-related activities include ₹9,275.00 crore for road over/under bridges, ₹17,652.00 crore for track renewals, and ₹4,647.28 crore for signaling and telecommunication works, critical for ensuring safe railway operations.
- Electrification and Rolling Stock: ₹6,472.30 crore for electrification projects and ₹52,313.78 crore for rolling stock underscore the focus on sustainable and efficient transportation solutions.
- Workshops and Maintenance Facilities: ₹4,903.68 crore is allocated for workshops and production units, essential for maintaining and upgrading rolling stock and equipment.
Financial Allocations and Strategic Investments
Government Support and Budgetary Allocations:
- Budgetary support from the Government of India stands at ₹2,52,200.00 crore, reflecting a significant commitment to infrastructure development and modernization within the railway sector.
Extra Budgetary Resources (EBR):
- EBR contributions amount to ₹10,000.00 crore, complementing budgetary allocations and supporting critical railway projects through innovative financing mechanisms.
Safety Initiatives and Future Prospects
The Railway Budget 2024-2025 underscores a holistic approach towards safety, infrastructure enhancement, and operational efficiency. With targeted investments in safety-related activities and strategic infrastructure projects, the budget sets the stage for transformative growth in India’s railway sector.
Conclusion
As India’s lifeline for transportation, the Railway Budget 2024-2025 embodies a forward-looking vision, emphasizing safety, sustainability, and technological innovation. With robust financial allocations and strategic investments, the budget aims to elevate railway infrastructure to global standards, ensuring seamless connectivity and enhanced passenger experience across the nation.
