In a major boost for eastern India’s rail infrastructure, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a staggering 16-fold increase in funding for Jharkhand in the 2026-27 budget. Speaking via video conference at a press meet in Chakradharpur, West Singhbhum district, the minister highlighted how this year’s allocations dwarf previous commitments.
The 2026-27 central budget earmarks a whopping Rs 7,536 crore for Jharkhand’s railway modernization and expansion projects. This figure stands in sharp contrast to the average annual allocation of just Rs 457 crore during the 2009-2014 period—a monumental leap of nearly 16 times.
Odisha too has reason to celebrate, with Rs 10,928 crore set aside for its rail networks in the upcoming fiscal year. Compared to the Rs 838 crore average from the UPA era, this represents about a 13-fold surge, signaling the government’s commitment to accelerating connectivity in underserved regions.
Vaishnaw’s address at the Chakradharpur headquarters underscored the transformative potential of these investments. Local railway officials, including CPRO and CKS Tarun Huria, were present, providing journalists with in-depth details on ongoing projects in the Chakradharpur division.
These enhanced funds are poised to fuel new tracks, station upgrades, and high-speed corridors, directly benefiting millions of passengers and boosting economic growth. For Jharkhand and Odisha, long reliant on outdated rail systems, this budget heralds a new era of mobility and development. As India races towards Viksit Bharat by 2047, such targeted investments are key to bridging regional disparities and propelling national progress.