Budget 2025: K’taka rail projects get Rs 7,564 cr, no allocation for sub-urban rail rolling stock
Bengaluru: The Union Budget 2025-26 has allocated ₹7,564 crore for railway projects in Karnataka, marking a marginal increase from last year’s ₹7,559 crore. The budgetary provisions include funding for 15 railway projects which aim at enhancing intra-state and inter-state connectivity.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the Indian Railways has been allocated ₹2.55 lakh crore for 2025-26, compared to ₹2.62 lakh crore last year.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna stated that ₹350 crore has been sanctioned for the Bengaluru suburban railway project, the same as the previous year. However, there has been no allocation for suburban rail rolling stock, raising concerns among commuters and activists.
The railway budget earmarks ₹1,16,500 crore for railway safety measures and ₹12,000 crore for passenger amenities, including the modernization of railway stations across the country. Somanna assured that the funds allocated to Karnataka would be used to expedite long-pending railway projects.
Key railway line projects in Karnataka and their allocated funds include:
Gadag-Wadi: ₹549.45 crore
Tumkur-Chitradurga-Davangere: ₹549.45 crore
Rayadurg-Tumkur via Kalyandurg: ₹434.85 crore
Bagalkot-Kudachi: ₹428.1 crore
Hosapete-Hubballi-Londa-Tinaighat-Vasco-da-Gama: ₹413.73 crore
Hotgi-Kudgi-Gadag: ₹401.15 crore
Bengaluru-Whitefield-KR Puram quadrupling: ₹357.6 crore
Pune-Miraj-Londa: ₹312.9 crore
Bayappanahalli-Hosur: ₹223.5 crore
Munirabad-Mahabubnagar: ₹214.05 crore
Yeshwantpur-Channasandra: ₹178.8 crore
Toranagallu-Ranjitpura: ₹104.47 crore
Daund-Kalaburagi doubling & Pune-Guntakal electrification: ₹84.39 crore
Kadur-Chikmagalur-Sakleshpura: ₹78.4 crore
Shivamogga-Shikaripura-Ranebennur: ₹64.05 crore
As per a ‘X’ post by Journalist Christin Mathew Philip, Karnataka had sought ₹3,414 crore for the Bengaluru suburban railway, including ₹859 crore from the Railway Board and ₹1,982 crore from foreign funding agencies (KfW/EIB), however the Union Budget has allocated only ₹350 crore.
Meanwhile, the absence of funds for suburban rail rolling stock has drawn flak from social media users.
A social media user questioned the sufficiency of ₹350 crore for the project, while another user criticized the government for providing “small sums that won’t help anything.”
Another user @LakshmeeshaCS wrote, “this clearly states that there is no encouragement for Karnataka even after being the 2nd highest #GST earner.”
For Bengaluru suburban rail:
— ChristinMathewPhilip (@ChristinMP_) February 2, 2025
Total ₹3,414 crore sought:
- ₹859 crore from railway board
- ₹1,982 crore from funding agencies (KfW/EIB)
In Union Budget, only ₹350 crore out of the ₹859 crore has been allocated
No funds have been allocated for rolling stock either https://t.co/axUgaXs3ey pic.twitter.com/AqLyUyL6kf
Karnataka approved ₹2,135 crore (50% state share) for 306 train coaches for Bengaluru suburban rly in Nov 24
— ChristinMathewPhilip (@ChristinMP_) December 31, 2024
Total rolling stock cost at ₹4,300 cr
Union Railway Ministry's nod for remaining 50% share is awaited
Rolling stock delivery may take 2 yrs post-tender. Pls help 🙏 https://t.co/0bNsrnxAwP
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
V.D. Satheesan elected as new Chief Minister of Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Celebrations erupted across Kerala on Thursday after V D Satheesan was selected by the Congress High Command as the next Chief Minister of the state.
Satheesan was at the Contonment House in Thiruvananthapuram, the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition, when AICC leaders announced it in New Delhi.
Soon after the announcement, jubilant Satheesan supporters burst firecrackers and distributed sweets in several parts of the state.
Paravur in Ernakulam district, the Assembly constituency he has represented since 2001, witnessed large-scale celebrations.
Satheesan was widely seen as the frontrunner for the post, with UDF allies also backing his candidature during the selection process.
As the Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing Assembly, he led the UDF both inside and outside the House.
Apart from Satheesan, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala and Congress MP K C Venugopal were also considered for the post.
