10-08-2025
- Business
- United News of India
Karnataka gets ninefold hike in rail budget since 2014: Vaishnaw
Bengaluru, Aug 10 (UNI) Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today said that railway infrastructure investment in Karnataka has grown nearly ninefold since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office, marking what he called an "unprecedented transformation in the state's connectivity".
Speaking ahead of Prime Minister Modi's flag-off of three new Vande Bharat Express trains, including the long-awaited Bengaluru–Belagavi service, Vaishnaw noted that Karnataka's annual average railway allocation before 2014 was just Rs 835 crore, whereas in the 2025–26 financial year it stands at Rs 7,564 crore.
'Right now, our total investment in Karnataka's railway network is of the order of Rs 54,000 crore,' he said, adding that 61 stations are being rebuilt under the Amrit Bharat Station Program, 123 flyovers and underpasses are under construction, and electrification works are progressing rapidly.
Calling the launch of the Bengaluru–Belagavi Vande Bharat a 'long-pending demand of the people,' Vaishnaw said the train would significantly improve connectivity between North Karnataka and Bengaluru, India's IT capital.
Two more Vande Bharat trains will also be flagged off: the Amritsar–Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and the Nagpur (Ajni)–Pune routes.
Vaishnaw further highlighted the success of the Amrit Bharat Express, describing it as a low-fare alternative to the Vande Bharat with nearly the same features, aimed at benefiting low-income and lower-middle-income families. He also pointed to the popularity of the recently launched 'Mobile Train' services, saying passenger feedback has been 'highly appreciative.'
The minister inspected the Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station in Bengaluru to review arrangements for the Prime Minister's visit and the high-profile launch event.
