Gandhinagar, March 1 (NationPress) In a significant boost for railway advancements, Gujarat has received an allocation of Rs 17,366 crore in this year's Union Budget, a remarkable increase compared to previous allocations, as stated by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday.

At the inauguration of the Gujarat Semiconnect Conference-2026 held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Vaishnaw emphasized that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the railway infrastructure throughout India is undergoing a transformative phase.

He remarked, "The historic measures implemented by the Central Government for the extensive development of railways in Gujarat have initiated a new chapter in transportation and connectivity for the state."

Vaishnaw pointed out that during the tenure of the UPA government from 2009 to 2014, Gujarat received an annual railway budget of merely Rs 589 crore.

"In stark contrast, the current government has allocated Rs 17,366 crore for this year, which sets a new record," he added, noting that this substantial increase will facilitate the modernization of the state's rail network and significantly improve passenger services.

Currently, projects valued at Rs 1.28 lakh crore are in progress across Gujarat.

As part of the Amrit Station Scheme, 87 stations within the state have been earmarked for redevelopment into world-class facilities, with 21 projects already completed.

Renovations are advancing at major stations including Ahmedabad, Sabarmati, Surat, Una, and Somnath.

"The revamped Ahmedabad railway station will offer passengers facilities on par with international standards," he stated.

Speaking of India's inaugural high-speed rail corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, Vaishnaw announced that preparations are underway to launch the bullet train next year.

"Upon completion, the journey between Ahmedabad and Mumbai will take just one hour and 57 minutes, traveling at a speed of 350 kilometers per hour," he highlighted.

He further noted that senior officials from Japan's Prime Minister's Office recently assessed the project's progress and expressed their satisfaction.

The minister also mentioned that Prime Minister Modi has sanctioned seven new high-speed rail routes aimed at connecting more cities in the future.

Vaishnaw acknowledged that the support from the state government, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, has expedited project timelines, stating, "Modern railways and high-speed connectivity will fortify the transport infrastructure in the state."