Indian Railway Budget 2024: Key Highlights and Expectations

Announcement and Timing

The Railway Budget for 2024-25 will be announced as part of the Union Budget speech on July 23, 2024. The speech will commence at 11:00 AM.

Integration with Union Budget

Prior to 2017, the Railway Budget was presented separately a few days before the Union Budget. However, this practice was discontinued.

Increased Capital Expenditure

In the Interim Budget 2024, the Finance Minister announced an 11.1% increase in capital expenditure (capex) for the fiscal year 2024-25. This increase is intended to support infrastructure operations and development.

Major Initiatives

The government has announced the implementation of three major initiatives as part of the Railway Budget 2024:

1. Dedicated Freight Corridor

The government aims to complete the construction of dedicated freight corridors to enhance freight transportation efficiency and capacity.

2. Bullet Train Project

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (Bullet Train) project is expected to be completed by 2026, providing faster travel options between the two cities.

3. Suburban Rail Expansion

The government plans to expand suburban rail services in major metropolitan areas to ease congestion and improve connectivity.