MP gets record railway budget boost from centre:Allocation of ₹15,188 crore to link state directly with West Coast ports

Madhya Pradesh’s railway development has received another major boost, with the central government allocating a record ₹15,188 crore for the state. This allocation is said to be nearly 24 times higher than the average railway budget during the Congress regime. The information was shared by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during a press conference on Monday evening. The Railway Minister said that the central and state governments are working in close coordination to ensure projects begin quickly and are completed within the stipulated timelines. Railway projects worth ₹1.18 lakh crore underway According to Vaishnaw, the total value of railway-related projects currently underway in Madhya Pradesh has reached ₹1.18 lakh crore. These projects include new railway lines, doubling and tripling of tracks, station redevelopment, and initiatives to enhance freight handling capacity. He also stated that the target of 100 per cent railway electrification has been achieved in the state. This is expected to reduce operational costs while improving train speed and punctuality across the network. Long-pending projects get clearance Several long-pending projects have now been approved, including the Indore–Manmad rail line, which had been awaiting clearance for many years. Work on these projects is progressing at a fast pace. These developments are expected to directly benefit both freight and passenger services, while also strengthening rail connectivity in key industrial regions of the state. East–West dedicated freight corridor to transform economy Key details were also shared about the proposed East–West Dedicated Freight Trade Corridor. The corridor will originate in West Bengal and pass through Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, before reaching Gujarat. Once operational, this dedicated corridor will carry container, bulk and cargo traffic for industries across the region on a separate track. This will significantly reduce logistics costs and shorten transit times for freight movement. Economic corridor and port connectivity for MP Alongside the East–West Freight Corridor, a major economic corridor will be developed within Madhya Pradesh. This will directly link the state with major ports along the west coast of Gujarat and Maharashtra, enhancing export and import capabilities. Strategic link with western dedicated freight corridor The Railway Minister said that the East–West Corridor will connect with the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor near Surat. The Western Freight Corridor runs from Ludhiana to the Nhava Sheva (JNPT) Port. From this junction, rapid freight movement will be possible towards northern India via the Western Corridor, towards eastern and central India through the East–West Corridor, and further south via the Western Corridor.