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The state of Uttar Pradesh has recently become known as the Expressway Capital of India and now is on its way to becoming a railway powerhouse. With monetary support from the Railway Ministry and the Central Government, the state is undergoing a change which aims to change travel patterns, stimulate growth, and improve millions of lives in the state. Through The 2025-26 general budget, U.P received an unprecedented allocation of 19,858 crore which will help vertical development in the railways.
Uttar Pradesh To Receive 6,000 Kms of New Railway Lines
Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the state will receive over 6,000 kilometers of new railway lines in the state. These rail routes will go not only to the backward areas, but also many industrial towns which will help the region Wwith added local trade, employment opportunities, and improve the economic conditions of the state.
In addition to this, over 70 new rail projects which include new lines extending to a total of 5,958 kms are also in progress. Compared to the former allocation, which was set to 1,109 crores from 2009 to 2014, this amount is admirable. In 2023, this figure has been increased 18 times which reflects the government’s interest in modernizing railways in the state.
Amrit Bharat Yojana: 157 Railway Stations Set To Be Revamped With World-Class Facilities
Under the Amrit Bharat Yojana, plans have been made to upgrade the infrastructure of 157 railway stations in UP, including Charbagh and Uttarethia, with world-class facilities. These include:
UP has a large Kavach Network of 4800 km, and plans to implement the indigenous AI-enabled crash avoidance system, known as Kavach, developed in India. This will make UP’s rail network one of the safest in the country.
Kavach enabled Systems: Advanced Collision Avoidance Technology
These will be the first train stations in India to utilise AI technology, and Uttar Pradesh is planning to extend Kavach Systems across 4800 km of it’s railway network. Amrit Bharat Yojana is set to introduce world class facilities to waiting lounges and increase passenger amenities such as drinking fountais and clear easily accesible restrooms.
The Rail Network of Uttar Pradesh is Bigger than Belgium's
In the past decade alone, more than 5,200 km of railway lines have been constructed in UP, surpassing the total rail network of Belgium and Switzerland combined. For the expansion of rail facilities in the state, there is a construction plan of ₹1,04,000 crore which will include:
Additional lines with double and triple track systems
Electrification of the railways
Development of freight corridors
Modern rakes and state-of-the-art signal systems
The Aspirations for High-speed Rail Travel (“Vande Bharat,” “Namo Bharat,” & “Amrit Bharat”) UP still plans on adding 14 more Vande Bharat trains which already operate in 20 districts, and the addition does not stop there. The state expects to receive:
200 Vande Bharat,
50 Namo Bharat high-speed semi trains,
100 non-air-conditioned Amrit Bharat trains with modern touch, and
Vande Bharat Sleeper train, which is under testing.
These additions come with the promise for safer, faster, and more comfortable state-level travel.
Luong Cao: Unmatched Pricing--- 55% cut on ticket prices
Responding to the question of discounts for senior citizens, the Railway Minister defended the position stating that the Railways already has heavy subsidized offers for all services provided. Adding that for the ₹100 journey, on average the actual cost to the rail passengers is only ₹48 while being heavily subsidized which makes it extremely affordable and among the cheapest transport options globally.
Uttarethia Station: The New Transport Center Under Development in Lucknow Region
What is being referred to as “Uttarethia” station is located on the cronological advancement map between “Vrindavan Colony” and “Avadh Vihar Yojana” and is being transformed into a suburban terminal. The modern features include:
- New railway lines
- Water vending machines
- Automatic ticket vending machines
- Passenger waiting areas
- Enhanced access roads and parking
With these changes, Lucknow’s Charbagh station congestive concerns would be addressed alongside enhancing the train operations on the chronic branch line of the division.
What This Would Signify for Uttar Pradesh
For this state, the transformation brought by the railways is unprecedented. Below is a direct impact that will be noted by the above changes:
- Enhanced connections among cities, towns, and villages
- Increased employment opportunities within construction, services, and logistics sectors
- Improved tourism with the introduction of faster trains along with upgraded railway stations
- Enhanced and quick access to educational institutions and healthcare
- Better economic conditions as a result of improved freight transport and access to markets
Read More: UP News: Special camps for PM Awas Yojana beneficiaries from April 21
