Union Budget 2024: Railways sector completely ignored; no mention of introducing high-tech tools or modernisation
PTC Web Desk: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday presented the Union Budget 2024 in Parliament, with expectations high for significant announcements regarding the Railway Budget. However, the Centre has decided to maintain the capital expenditure (capex) at the same level as specified in the Interim Budget 2024, resulting in no major new initiatives for the railway sector.
Status Quo for Railway Capital Expenditure
Despite anticipation for substantial investments and updates, the Union Budget 2024-25 has not introduced any new changes for the Railways. The capex for the railway sector remains unchanged from the Interim Budget, leaving stakeholders and industry experts awaiting further developments. Among the anticipated highlights were updates on new trains such as Vande Bharat, Vande Metro, and advancements related to the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train and Namo Bharat initiatives. Unfortunately, these expectations have not been fulfilled in this budget cycle.
Lack of Technological Advancements
Although Finance Minister Sitharaman's Budget speech prominently featured the themes of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) and ‘Amrit Kaal’ (Golden Era), there was no mention of introducing high-tech tools or modernising the Indian Railways network. Many had hoped that the Budget would outline plans for upgrading railway technology to enhance efficiency and service quality. The absence of such announcements is seen as a missed opportunity to boost India's self-reliance through technological advancement in its rail infrastructure.
Focus on Infrastructure Development Elsewhere
In her Budget address, Sitharaman highlighted significant infrastructure projects in states such as Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. However, this focus on infrastructure did not extend to the railway sector in the form of new train services or technological upgrades. Instead, the Budget speech centered on broader infrastructural initiatives, with only a brief reference to railways while discussing the development of industrial corridors.
Surprising Lack of New Initiatives
The lack of new plans or initiatives for the Indian Railways in the Budget 2024 speech has been met with surprise and disappointment. The railway sector, which plays a vital role in India's transportation network, did not receive any additional allocation or strategic plans beyond what was established in the Interim Budget. This has left many in the industry and among railway users feeling that their needs and expectations have been overlooked.
- With inputs from agencies
