Gandhinagar: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday announced that Gujarat has been allocated ₹17,366 crore for railway development in the current Union Budget, marking a significant increase compared to previous years. Speaking at the Gujarat Semi-Connect Conference 2026 at Mahatma Mandir, Vaishnaw highlighted ongoing modernization and expansion of railway infrastructure across the state.
Record Budget Allocation for Gujarat Railways
The minister noted that Gujarat received an average annual allocation of only ₹589 crore between 2009 and 2014. In contrast, the current allocation of ₹17,366 crore reflects the government’s focus on modernizing and expanding the state’s railway network, improving passenger amenities, and boosting connectivity.
Currently, railway projects worth ₹1.28 lakh crore are under execution in Gujarat, targeting network modernization, capacity expansion, and world-class infrastructure.
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87 Stations to Be Redeveloped Under Amrit Station Scheme
Under the Amrit Station Scheme, 87 railway stations in Gujarat have been selected for redevelopment into world-class facilities. So far, 21 stations have been completed, while redevelopment is underway at major hubs including Ahmedabad, Sabarmati, Surat, Una, and Somnath.
Post redevelopment, key stations such as Ahmedabad Railway Station will feature international-standard passenger amenities, modern infrastructure, and enhanced convenience for travelers.
Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train to Become Operational Next Year
Vaishnaw expressed satisfaction over the progress of India’s first high-speed rail project, the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train, which is expected to reduce travel time to just 1 hour 57 minutes with trains running at 350 km per hour.
The project, executed by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), recently received positive feedback from officials from Japan who reviewed the progress.
The minister also revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved seven additional bullet train corridors, aiming to connect more cities across India with high-speed rail networks, further revolutionizing the country’s transportation infrastructure.
Gujarat Set for Transformative Railway Growth
With record budget allocations, large-scale station redevelopments, and the operationalization of India’s first bullet train corridor, Gujarat is poised for a transformative phase in railway modernization. These initiatives are expected to enhance passenger experience, economic growth, and connectivity across the state and the region.
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