Gujarat has been granted Rs 17,366 crore in the current Union Budget for railway development, a significant increase as stated by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. This allocation marks a substantial rise compared to previous years, highlighting the government’s focus on enhancing railway infrastructure. Vaishnaw, speaking at the Gujarat Semiconnect Conference-2026 in Gandhinagar, praised the transformative efforts led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in revolutionizing railway networks nationwide.
Underlining the impact of the Central Government’s strategic decisions on railway development in Gujarat, Vaishnaw emphasized the commencement of a new era in transportation and connectivity within the state. Noting the stark contrast with the UPA government’s annual railway allocation of Rs 589 crore for Gujarat between 2009 and 2014, Vaishnaw highlighted the current government’s record-breaking budget allocation for the state. The substantial increase in funds is expected to drive the modernization of Gujarat’s rail infrastructure and elevate passenger services.
Vaishnaw revealed that ongoing railway projects in Gujarat amount to Rs 1.28 lakh crore, indicating a strong commitment to enhancing the state’s transportation network. As part of the Amrit Station Scheme, 87 stations in Gujarat have been earmarked for transformation into world-class facilities, with 21 already completed. Notable progress is being made at key stations like Ahmedabad, Sabarmati, Surat, Una, and Somnath, with Ahmedabad station set to offer international-standard amenities post-redevelopment.
Highlighting the upcoming high-speed rail corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, Vaishnaw announced plans for the bullet train’s operationalization next year. The corridor aims to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities to just one hour and 57 minutes, operating at a speed of 350 kilometers per hour. Vaishnaw also mentioned the approval of seven new high-speed rail routes by Prime Minister Modi, emphasizing the government’s commitment to expanding high-speed connectivity across various cities.
Vaishnaw acknowledged the crucial role played by the state government under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in expediting project timelines, underscoring the collaborative efforts to strengthen transport infrastructure in Gujarat through modern railway systems and high-speed connectivity.
