Shimla, Feb 4 (UNI) To boost railway infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh, the Central Government has allocated Rs 2,716 crore for the state in the 2025-26 Railway Budget.

The announcement was made by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during a virtual press conference last evening, where he outlined the key allocations and projects aimed at enhancing connectivity and passenger facilities in the hill state.
The budget reflects a marginal increase of Rs 18 crore compared to the previous year’s allocation of Rs 2,698 crore.
The funds will be utilised for the expansion and modernisation of railway infrastructure, including the completion of ongoing projects and the upgrading of key railway stations.
Four major railway stations in Himachal Pradesh—Amb-Andaura, Baijnath-Paprola, Palampur, and Shimla—will be upgraded under the Amrit Station scheme at a cost of Rs 45.5 crore.
These upgrades are expected to significantly improve passenger amenities and provide a more comfortable travel experience. The work on these stations is set to commence soon, marking a new phase of development for the state’s railway network.
Himachal Pradesh, despite its challenging terrain, has seen steady progress in railway infrastructure over the past decade. Since 2014, the state has added 16.5 kilometers of new railway tracks, and four major railway projects are currently underway.
These projects involve the laying of 255 kilometers of new tracks, with an estimated expenditure of Rs 13,163 crore. Additionally, 24 rail flyovers and underbridges have been constructed during this period, improving connectivity and reducing travel time.
The state has also benefitted from the introduction of modern facilities at its railway stations. All 24 railway stations in Himachal Pradesh are now equipped with Wi-Fi services, ensuring better connectivity for passengers.
Furthermore, the state is served by the Vande Bharat Express, which includes two special halts, enhancing interstate connectivity and providing a faster travel option for residents and tourists alike.
However, concerns have been raised about the pace of railway development in Himachal Pradesh compared to other hill states like Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir. Critics argue that the state has not received the same level of attention and funding, leading to delays in several key projects.
Uttarakhand, for instance, has been allocated Rs 4,641 crore in the current budget, significantly higher than Himachal Pradesh’s allocation.
Similarly, Punjab and Haryana have received Rs 5,421 crore and Rs 3,416 crore, respectively, while Delhi has been allocated Rs 2,593 crore.
Addressing these concerns, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasised that the Central Government is committed to the development of Himachal Pradesh’s railway network.
He highlighted that the budget allocation for the state has increased compared to previous years and that the government is focused on completing ongoing projects and upgrading existing infrastructure.
The minister also announced plans to introduce 50 new Namo Bharat trains, 100 Amrit Bharat trains, and 200 new Vande Bharat trains across the country, along with the construction of new flyovers and underpasses.
Sharp criticism was being expressed in the budget reaction by the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and other parties for ignoring the hill state in the 2025-26 Railway Budget.
They state that long-standing demands of Himachal Pradesh by prioritising the completion of critical projects and enhancing passenger facilities were consistently facing a shortage of funds. While challenges remain, the increased allocation and focus on modernisation signal a positive step forward for the state’s railway infrastructure in the border state, as there is a complete transformation of railway infrastructure on the other side of the border in China.
State government is pressing for a more liberal allocation of funds to upgrade existing stations and build new tracks.
The state is in various communications with the centre seeking to declare the ongoing railway infrastructure as a national project, as the border state development of the new project would serve as a more robust and efficient railway network in the coming years.
UNI ML ARN