Union Budget 2021-22 has allocated Rs 300 crore for Agartala-Akhaura Rail project. In a press release, NF Railway Chief PRO S Chanda said this on Friday.
He said, “Among New Line projects, Sivok – Rangpo project (44.96 kms) has been allocated Rs. 1100 crs, Tetelia – Byrnihat project has been allocated Rs 101crs and Agartala – Akhaura project has been allocated Rs. 300 crores”.
Chanda also said, in the Budget 2021-22 FY, Rs 8 thousand 60 crore have been proposed for railway expansion in North Eastern States.
“NFR has received an allocation of Rs. 8,060 crs in the recently placed Union Budget. Out of this Rs. 4,330 crs has been allocated for New Lines and Doubling works. Rs. 3,470 crs has been allocated for Safety and Capacity Enhancement Works. Passenger Amenities received Rs. 166 crores”, Chanda mentioned in the press release.
Focusing on thrust of the Union Budget for railways, Chanda said, “This year’s budget has put the thrust mainly on Infrastructure development, Speed augmentation of trains, Development of terminal facilities, Improvement of amenities for passengers and other users, Construction of Road over bridges/Road under bridges for the safety of road users, Modernization of the signaling system for enhancement of safety and speed.
Focus is also on International connectivity particularly with Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar as per Act East Policy of our government which will prove to be beneficial for large scale economic development of entire NE Region”.
Notably, a record outlay for Indian Railways was announced by the Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget. She proposed an outlay of Rs. 1,10,055 crore of which Rs. 1,07,100 crore is for capital expenditure. This will help to create a ‘future ready’ Railway system by 2030, Chanda commented.
The Indian Railways has received highest ever total Plan capex of Rs. 2,15,058 Crore this year with Rs. 7,500 Crore from internal resources, Rs. 1,00,258 Crore from extra budgetary resources and Rs. 1,07,100 Crore from capital expenditure allocation given in the General Budget. With this increase in Capex, Indian Railways will be the driver of Indian Economy in near future.
