Indian Railways is currently working on 513 new line, doubling or gauge conversion projects across India, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal told Lok Sabha in a written response.
Average annual budget allocation for infrastructure and safety works has increased in the 2014-19 period to 26,026 crores per year. In the previous five year period from 2009-14, the average allocation was 11,527 crores per year he added.
It is not clear from the reply if the allocated resources were fully utilized.
The minister’s response also noted that budget allocation has further increased in 2019-20 to 39,836 crores. This is the highest ever expenditure in any financial year for infrastructure and safety works, he added.
Piyush Goyal also explained that completion of railway projects is dependent on quick land acquisition, forest clearances, shifting of utilities, statutory clearances, geological conditions and the law and order situation in the area of the project.
Details of all projects and their allocations are available in the public domain at www.indianrailways.gov.in, his response stated.