New Delhi: When the Modi 3.0 government took office in June 2024, it laid out an ambitious vision to revolutionize India’s infrastructure through enhanced multi-modal connectivity. Fourteen months into this mandate, the government has approved projects worth a staggering Rs 10,51,039 crore across nine key infrastructure sectors — railways, highways, airports, and more — underscoring its commitment to transforming India’s transportation landscape.
Railways, a crucial pillar of this vision, has witnessed significant budgetary boosts. These funds target a slew of infrastructure and safety projects spanning the entire country — from the icy terrains of Jammu & Kashmir to the southern tip of Kanyakumari, and from the industrial powerhouse Maharashtra to the hills of Mizoram.
In the rail sector alone, the Modi 3.0 government has sanctioned 30 major projects valued at Rs 1,07,479 crore. This ambitious package includes laying down 1,333 km of new railway lines and adding 2,604 km of multi-tracking. Key projects are underway in Maharashtra, a new bridge in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and several other states, reflecting a pan-India push for improved rail connectivity.
As of April 1, 2025, Maharashtra has emerged as a hotspot of progress with 38 sanctioned projects — including 11 new lines, two gauge conversions, and 25 doubling projects — spanning 5,098 km and costing Rs 89,780 crore. The state, including districts like Amravati, has already commissioned 2,360 km of rail infrastructure, with Rs 39,407 crore spent up to March 2025.
An important highlight is the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), which stretches 178 km across Maharashtra, about 12% of its total length. Of this, 76 km — between New Gholvad and New Vaitarna — has been commissioned, with the rest of the corridor rapidly progressing. The WDFC’s strategic linkage to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) will significantly enhance the movement of cargo and container traffic between the port and the Delhi NCR region, boosting trade efficiency and economic growth.
Together, these initiatives are not just infrastructure projects — they represent vital arteries of opportunity for India’s youth and middle class, promising enhanced mobility, economic empowerment, and greater integration of the country’s diverse regions through multi-modal connectivity.
