Indian Railways has utilized 80.54% of its allocated capex in the first three quarters of the current fiscal year (FY26) by the end of December, amounting to Rs 2,03,138 crore of the total Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) of Rs 2,52,200 crore, as per the government’s announcement. This marks a 6.54% increase in GBS utilization compared to the same period in the previous year (December 2024), stated the Ministry of Railways.
The expenditure has been predominantly directed towards safety measures, capacity enhancement, infrastructure modernization, and passenger amenities. The ministry reported that 84% of the allocated funds for safety-related works have been utilized. In terms of capacity augmentation, out of the allocated Rs 1,09,238 crore, Rs 76,048 crore (69%) has been spent. Additionally, customer amenities have witnessed 80% utilization, with expenses totaling Rs 9,575 crore until December 2025.
The impact of continuous capital expenditure over the past decade is evident in various services and systems, including 164 Vande Bharat train services, 30 Amrit Bharat train services, the Kavach automatic train protection system, extensive electrification of the broad-gauge network, and numerous infrastructure enhancements. The ministry highlighted that these initiatives have significantly enhanced speed, safety, and passenger comfort, while ensuring affordability in rail travel. The upcoming inauguration of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train is expected to further revolutionize long-distance rail travel.
Indian Railways is committed to providing faster, safer, and world-class rail travel at reasonable prices nationwide, aligning itself with the vision of a modern and connected nation. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that India is on track to receive its first Bullet Train on August 15, 2027. The Bullet Train project, covering 508 km between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, with a significant portion in Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, is progressing well, with over 85% of the corridor built on elevated viaducts, as per the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd. (NHSRCL).
