Rs 9,417 cr allocated for AP’s rail projects

Andhra Pradesh has been allocated a record Rs 9,417 crore for railway development in the 2025-26 Union Budget, announced by Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw during a virtual press conference at Railway Nilayam, Secunderabad, on Monday.
Vaishnaw highlighted that this allocation is part of a total investment of Rs 84,559 crore for various railway projects in the state. He pointed out that the state’s average annual allocation between 2009 and 2014 was just Rs 886 crore, reflecting an eleven-fold increase in the current budget.
Among key developments, the Minister stated that Andhra Pradesh’s railway network is now fully electrified. The South Central Railway (SCR) has taken the lead in installing Kavach, with 1,465 km of this train protection system already commissioned across its jurisdiction.
He further shared that the government is targeting nationwide deployment of Kavach within the next six years. Additionally, 1,560 km of new railway track has been laid in the state over the past decade, exceeding the total rail network of Sri Lanka.
Vaishnaw also mentioned that eight Vande Bharat trains are now operational in Andhra Pradesh, covering 15 districts and 21 stations. The Amrit Bharat Express, running between Malda Town and Bengaluru, has been allotted 14 stoppages in the state. Furthermore, the redevelopment of 73 railway stations is underway under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
The Union Minister announced the approval of 50 Namo Bharat trains, 200 Vande Bharat trains, and 100 Amrit Bharat trains, which will be rolled out in phases. He also spoke about the ongoing mission to replace 7,000 km of old tracks, with plans to upgrade them to enable train speeds of 160 kmph on major sections, 130 kmph on other key routes, and 100 kmph across the entire network.
The press conference was attended by Arun Kumar Jain, General Manager of South Central Railway, along with other senior railway officials. Divisional Railway Managers from Vijayawada, Guntur, and Guntakal participated via video link.