Rail Budget 2021: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has presented the budget for the financial year 2021-22. This is the third budget of the second term of the Modi government. This budget has become very important due to Corona epidemic and subsequent economic crisis. Announcements have also been made for Indian Railways in the budget. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced Rs 1.1 lakh crore for Indian Railways in Budget 2021. Presenting the budget, Sitharaman said that a record amount of Rs 1,10,055 crore is made for the railways. Of this, Rs 1,07,100 crore is for capital expenditure only.
100% electrification of large lines to be completed by December 2023
The Finance Minister has also announced the National Rail Scheme 2030 for Railways in the budget. Presenting the budget, Finance Minister Sitharaman said that Indian Railways has prepared a National Rail Scheme 2030 for the country, which aims to reduce transportation costs for our industries. The Finance Minister also announced in the budget that 100 percent electrification of the major railway line will be completed by December 2023.
Sitharaman announced in the budget that metro light and metro new technology will be installed at low cost to provide metro rail system in tier two cities and outskirts of tier one cities, which will provide equal experience, convenience and security. The Finance Minister said that the high density network and overused network routes of Indian Railways will be made available in the country developed automatic train protection system, which will reduce the collision of train due to human error.
Apart from this, work will start on Kochi Metro Railway Phase 2, the length of which will be 11.5 km and the cost will be Rs 1,957.05 crore. By June 2020, the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor and the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor will be commissioned by June 2022.
Union Budget 2021 Highlights: Finance Minister announces several schemes, big announcements made in Budget
What was announced in the budget last year?
In the budget last year, special announcements were made for the Railways. Sitharaman had announced that the number of Tejas Express will be increased in the coming days in the country. They will be connected to the tourist place. The government had taken this step in view of better response of Tejas Express. At the same time, Sitharaman also said that in the coming days, the government’s focus on PPP model for Railways will increase. Around 1000 trains will be run on PPP mode. At the same time, development of 4 railway stations in the country will also be done with the help of private players.