Ministry of Railways Approves 100 Projects Worth ₹1.53 Lakh Crore in FY26.

The Ministry of Railways has sanctioned 100 railway projects in FY 2025–26 with a total investment commitment of ₹1.53 lakh crore, marking a significant expansion in the country’s rail infrastructure programme.

According to the ministry, the approved projects cover more than 6,000 kilometres of railway network, representing a sharp increase in both scale and investment compared to the previous financial year. The expansion includes new railway lines, doubling, and multitracking works aimed at easing congestion, improving punctuality, and enhancing passenger experience.

The ministry said project approvals have risen by 56% year-on-year, while route coverage has increased by over 114% and financial commitments have grown by more than 110%, highlighting what it described as a historic phase of railway expansion.

The projects are spread across several states, with Maharashtra (17 projects), Bihar (11), Jharkhand (10), and Madhya Pradesh (9) emerging as key focus regions. Officials said these states are critical corridors for both freight and passenger movement.

A major emphasis has also been placed on improving rail connectivity in tribal and remote areas to strengthen access to markets, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

More than 35 of the approved projects are valued at over ₹1,000 crore each and are expected to support corridor-level upgrades across the network. The expansion is also aligned with the government’s “Mission 3000 MT” initiative, aimed at significantly boosting freight capacity and improving logistics efficiency, including faster movement of coal and minerals and better port connectivity.

The ministry said the large-scale investment is expected to generate substantial employment and stimulate demand in core sectors such as steel and cement, while also reducing logistics costs across the country.

Describing the initiative as transformative, the ministry said, “This is not incremental progress—this is India laying the tracks for its next economic leap.”