Railway Budget 2024: Expectations, Date, Time, When And Where To Watch Online

The Indian Railways is expected to receive a boost in capital expenditure in the upcoming interim budget.

As per the analysts, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamn may allocate more funds to push a significant transformation of the national transportation system like the introduction of modern and high-speed trains and enhancing safety measures.

The interim budget for 2024 will likely allocate Rs 2.8-3 lakh crore to the railway industry. While last year, the railways received Rs 2.4 lakh crore. This is a decent jump to modernise Indian railways.

"We expect adequate allocations towards the infrastructure sectors such as roads, highways and railways in 2024-25. The defence outlay - on R&D and acquisitions - may be enhanced further, amid the government's focus on encouraging the development and production of emerging technologies," the rating agency, Icra said.

The total expenditure is estimated to grow five per cent to Rs 47.4 lakh crore in 2024-25. As per Elara Capital, the government is prioritising capital spending for Indian railways but at a moderate pace.

"We project FY25E capital expenditure to rise 20% on the back of 30.5 per cent growth in FY24E, which is lower than the budgeted growth of 37.4 per cent. We also do not rule out trimming of the budgeted allocation for the interest-free 50-year loan to the states from the Centre by Rs 30,000 crore. Of the overall capex by the Centre, we see 60 per cent to be allocated to roads, railways and defence," said Elara Capital.

Railway Budget 2024: When And Where to Watch

FM Sitharamn will present the interim Budget on February 1. She will announce her sixth consecutive Budget at 11 AM on the same day. One can watch it live on the following platforms:

1. Doordarshan and Sansad TV offer a live telecast of the interim budget.
2. Sansad TV and Doordarshan YouTube channel will also present a live telecast
3. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) declares the budget online
4. Various news outlets and YouTube channels also telecast the live presentation of the budget.
5. Several websites or apps of news channels update interim budgets in real time.

Railway Budget 2024: Indian Railways Goal

Indian railways have been investing in capacity works such as dedicated freight corridors, electrification and introducing high-speed trains. It will produce 400 energy-efficient 'Vande Bharat' trains. At present, there are 41 'Vande Bharat' trains in operation.

The government has set aside Rs 35,000 crore for new lines in 2023-24, Rs 45,000 crore for the Railway Safety Fund, and Rs 10,000 crore for the 'Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh'. This capital infusion will lead to the introduction of several new Vande Bharat trains in different categories.

Apart from this, a significant amount of capital is also likely to be allocated for the recently launched 'Amrit Bharat Station Scheme' that aims to enhance and modernise railway stations throughout the Indian Railways network.

Experts are also hopeful for capital outlay for the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The project will connect India, the Middle East and Europe through a comprehensive transportation network of rail, road and sea routes.

Railway Budget 2024: Safety Measures

The safety budget of the railways is expected to be almost doubled for 2024-25 to accomplish Mission Zero Accidents. Notably, the safety budget has remained stagnant for the past two years at around ₹11,000 crore.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced in the Lok Sabha that the speed of 'Vande Bharat' trains would soon be increased gradually. For this, safety fencing will be installed at vulnerable locations to enable the trains to operate at speeds ranging from 110 kilometres per hour to 130 kilometres per hour.

At present, the average running speed of Vande Bharat trains ranges from 63-96 kilometres per hour due to restrictions related to signalling, track infrastructure, and fencing. This brings to the need for enhanced safety measures that would likely be another major focus area for the railway budget this year.