What is the capital expenditure (CAPEX) allocated for Indian Railways in the financial year 2024-25?

Correct option is B

The correct answer is B) ₹2.62 lakh crore.

Explanation:

• In the Union Budget 2024-25, the government allocated a record capital expenditure (CAPEX) of ₹2.62 lakh crore for Indian Railways.
• This allocation includes:
• ₹2.52 lakh crore from Gross Budgetary Support (GBS).
• An additional ₹10,000 crore from extra-budgetary resources.
• The CAPEX aims to enhance railway infrastructure, focusing on safety, modernization, and capacity expansion.

Information Booster:

• Key Initiatives Under CAPEX:
• Safety Enhancements: Significant funds are earmarked for safety-related activities.
• Infrastructure Development: Investments in new lines, track doubling, electrification, and station redevelopment.
• Rolling Stock: Procurement of new trains, including Vande Bharat, and modernization of existing fleets.
• Performance Indicators:
• Freight Loading: Achieved an all-time high of 1588 million tonnes in FY 2023-24.
• Electrification: Approximately 97% of broad-gauge lines electrified.
• Track Laying: Increased from 4 km per day in 2014-15 to 14.54 km per day in 2023-24.

Additional Information:

• Comparison with Previous Years:
• 2023-24: CAPEX was ₹2.40 lakh crore, with ₹2.40 lakh crore as GBS.
• 2024-25: CAPEX increased to ₹2.62 lakh crore, with ₹2.52 lakh crore as GBS.
• Future Outlook:
• The government aims to achieve 100% electrification of broad-gauge lines by the end of FY 2025-26.
• Plans to introduce 7000 km of high-speed rail network supporting speeds up to 250 km/h by 2047.