Railways Gets Record Capital Support in Union Budget 2026–27!

The lifeline of the nation’s transport system, Indian Railways, has received a significant financial push in the Union Budget 2026–27. The government has earmarked ₹2,77,830 crore towards capital expenditure, marking an increase of about 10.25 percent compared to ₹2,52,000 crore allocated in 2025–26. In addition, the Centre has announced that nearly ₹15,000 crore in extra-budgetary resources will also be made available to the Railways.

As per the budget documents, ₹36,721.55 crore has been allocated for new railway lines, ₹4,600 crore for gauge conversion, and ₹37,750 crore for doubling works. Rolling stock—including locomotives, wagons, and coaches—will receive ₹52,108.73 crore, while ₹7,500 crore has been earmarked for signalling and telecom systems, including the Kavach safety mechanism. For 2026–27, railway revenue is estimated at ₹3,85,733.33 crore, with expenditure projected at ₹3,82,186.01 crore, resulting in a surplus of ₹3,547.32 crore. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed satisfaction, stating that the budget aligns with the “Viksit Bharat” vision. He announced ₹20,000 crore for passenger safety and welcomed the proposal to develop seven high-speed rail corridors covering nearly 4,000 km, expected to attract investments worth ₹16 lakh crore.