Railway Budget 2022 Highlights: In Nirmala Sitharaman’s big billion blueprint, Indian Railways is a clear winner

Railway Budget 2022-23 Highlights: The Indian Railways is the big winner in the Union Budget 2022. In a bid to overcome the extended Covid gloom and boost the Indian Economy, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman allocated higher funds to the Ministry of Railways this year. The Budget 2022 documents show that the railway ministry has been allocated Rs 1,40,367.13 crore. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also lauded the higher allocations. This is continuation of the trend that we have been witnessing since 2014. The Economic Survey had also spoken about the need for more funds for better performance by the national transporter. The Union Budget 2022, which is seen as the roadmap for next financial year, saw a clear focus on the infrastructural reforms. As part of India’s new blueprint of infra growth, Sitharaman announced the PM Gati Shakti Masterplan, which would see massive government spending in the fields of road, railways, highways, ports and public transport. Terming them as seven ‘engines’ of growth, Sitharaman said that highways in the country will see expansion of around 25,000 kms. In terms of the major rail announcement, Sitharaman said that there will be 400 Vande Bharat trains in India in next three years. The railway sector will also see 100 Gati Shakti Cargo terminals, which will be developed in next three years.