Mumbai: In a historic boost to Maharashtra’s railway infrastructure, Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a record budget allocation of ₹23,926 crore for the state in the 2026–27 Union Budget. The Minister addressed the media through video conferencing, highlighting that this year’s allocation is nearly 20 times higher than the average ₹1,171 crore per year provided between 2009 and 2014.
Two New Bullet Train Corridors Announced for Maharashtra
Seven high-speed rail projects were announced in the Union Budget, with two major Bullet Train corridors passing through Maharashtra. These include:
- Mumbai–Pune Bullet Train: Travel time — 48 minutes
- Pune–Hyderabad Bullet Train: Travel time — 1 hour 55 minutes
These corridors are expected to significantly improve inter-city mobility, boost economic productivity, and enhance regional connectivity.
₹1.7 Lakh Crore Worth of Railway Projects Under Execution in Maharashtra
Vaishnaw highlighted that infrastructure work totaling ₹1,70,058 crore is currently underway across the state. These projects cover:
- Track construction and capacity enhancement
- Station redevelopment
- Safety upgrades
- Modern signaling and mobility systems
The investment marks one of the largest infrastructure transformations Maharashtra has ever seen.
132 Stations Selected Under Amrit Station Scheme
A total of 132 railway stations in Maharashtra have been shortlisted for modernisation under the Amrit Station Scheme.
The redevelopment plan includes:
- Larger and modern station buildings
- Improved passenger amenities
- Upgraded platforms and concourses
- Enhanced accessibility
Total planned investment: ₹5,675 crore.
Premium Train Services Expand: Vande Bharat & Amrit Bharat Trains
Passenger convenience has significantly improved with the expansion of high-end train services:
- Vande Bharat Express: 12 pairs operating
- Amrit Bharat Express: 5 pairs operating
These services have reduced travel time and improved the overall passenger experience in the state.
Rapid Expansion of Railway Network in Maharashtra
The Railway Minister shared several key milestones achieved since 2014:
✔ Track Construction
- Over 2,400 km of new tracks laid
- This is more than the entire rail network of Malaysia
✔ 100% Electrification
- Maharashtra’s railway network is now fully electrified
- 3,744 km electrified since 2014
✔ Road Safety Improvements
- 1,228 flyovers and underpasses constructed
- Aimed at reducing road-rail conflict points
✔ Kavach Safety System
- Kavach approved for 4,971 route km
- 576 km deployed
- 3,617 km under work or tendering
The adoption of Kavach is expected to enhance train safety and prevent collisions.
