The Ministry of Railways has allocated ₹ 2,40,000 crore as Gross Budget Support (GBS) for Capital Expenditure during 2023-24. It comprises ₹ 1,85,000 crore under Capital, ₹ 45,000 crore under Railway Safety Fund and ₹ 10,000 crore as contribution towards Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh.
A total of ₹ 31,850 crore out of Gross Budgetary Support has been allocated to the Plan head “New Lines” for 2023-24 by Ministry of Railways. The Zone Wise fund allocation to New Lines for 2023-24 is as under:
| Railways | Gross Budgetary Support
2023-24 for New Line Projects |
| Central | 1234.95 |
| Eastern | 432.95 |
| Northern | 11617.3 |
| North Eastern | 792 |
| Northeast Frontier | 6591 |
| Southern | 1158.15 |
| South Central | 819.5 |
| South Eastern | 14.9 |
| Western | 1011.7 |
| East Central | 1518.02 |
| East Coast | 1984 |
| North Central | 2.13 |
| North Western | 861.65 |
| South East Central | 389 |
| South Western | 1408.35 |
| West Central | 2014.4 |
| Total | 31850 |
Introduction of new trains / train services is a part of regular day to day operations of the Railways. A provision of ₹ 13,150 crore out of Gross Budgetary Support has been made for the Plan head “Customer Amenities” for 2023-24. Development of 35 hydrogen fuel cell based trains for various heritage/hill routes has been included in Budget 2023-24 at a cost of ₹ 2800 crore. Further, setting up of Hydrogen Infrastructure for heritage routes has also been included at a cost of ₹ 600 crores.
