Railway Budget 2026: Major Allocation for Andhra Pradesh's Rail Infrastructure
The Ministry of Railways has announced a significant budgetary allocation of Rs 10,134 crore for the development of rail infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh for the financial year 2026-27. This substantial funding marks a notable increase from the Rs 9,417 crore allocated to the state in the previous fiscal year 2025-26, reflecting the government's enhanced focus on bolstering connectivity and modernizing the railway network in the region.
Record Budget and Ongoing Projects in Andhra Pradesh
Addressing a press conference on the Union Budget allocation for the Ministry of Railways, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the scale of investment. "A record budget for Railway projects has been sanctioned in the budget. Rs 10,134 crore and total projects in Andhra are Rs 92,649 crore," he stated. This highlights that several infrastructure projects worth a massive Rs 92,649 crore are currently underway across Andhra Pradesh, underscoring a comprehensive push towards transformative rail development.
Hyderabad-Chennai Bullet Train Project: DPR to Start Soon
In a major announcement, Minister Vaishnaw revealed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the highly anticipated bullet train project between Hyderabad and Chennai will commence shortly. "The bullet train project from Hyderabad-Chennai will be benefitting the state of Andhra Pradesh. The final alignment will start now. The DPR work will start and this will be a big game changer for the state of Andhra Pradesh," he elaborated. This project is poised to revolutionize travel in the region, significantly reducing journey times and boosting economic integration.
Three High-Speed Rail Corridors Proposed for Hyderabad
During her budget 2026 speech, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed the development of three high-speed rail corridors originating from Hyderabad. These corridors are:
- Pune-Hyderabad
- Hyderabad-Bangalore
- Hyderabad-Chennai
Minister Vaishnaw further detailed the expected travel time reductions. The bullet train is projected to cut travel time between Bengaluru and Hyderabad to just around 2 hours, while the Chennai-Hyderabad journey would be reduced to about 2 hours and 55 minutes. The Pune-Hyderabad route is expected to take approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes, promising unprecedented speed and efficiency for commuters and businesses alike.
Redevelopment of Railway Stations Under Amrit Station Scheme
Under the Amrit Station Scheme, 73 railway stations in Andhra Pradesh have been identified for complete redevelopment, with a total investment of Rs 3,418 crore. This initiative aims to modernize passenger amenities and enhance the overall travel experience. The stations include:
- Adoni
- Anakapalle
- Anantapur
- Anaparthi
- Araku
- Bapatla
- Bhimavaram Town
- Bobbili Jn
- Chipurupalli
- Chirala
- Chittoor
- Cuddapah
- Cumbum
- Dharmavaram
- Dhone
- Donakonda
- Duvvada
- Elamanchili
- Eluru
- Giddalur
- Gooty
- Gudivada
- Gudur
- Gunadala
- Guntur
- Hindupur
- Ichchpuram
- Kadiri
- Kakinada Town Jn
- Kottavalasa Jn
- Kuppam
- Kurnool city
- Macherla
- Machilipatnam
- Madanapalle Road
- Mangalagiri
- Mantralayam Road
- Markapur Road
- Nadikude Jn
- Nandyal Jn
- Narasapur
- Narasaraopet
- Naupada Jn
- Nellore
- Nidadavolu Jn
- Ongole
- Pakala Jn
- Palasa
- Parvatipuram
- Piduguralla
- Piler
- Rajahmundry
- Rajampet
- Rayanapadu
- Renigunta
- Repalle
- Samalkot
- Sattenapalle
- Satya Sai Prashanti Nilayan
- Simhachalam
- Singaraykonda
- Sri Kalahasti
- Srikakulam Road
- Sullurpeta
- Tadepalligudem
- Tadipatri
- Tenali
- Tirupati
- Tuni
- Vijayawada
- Vinukonda
- Vishakhapatnam
- Vizianagaram Jn
Out of these, upgradation work has already been completed at five stations: Sullurpeta, Rayanpadu, Kakinada Town, Mangalagiri, and Tuni, demonstrating steady progress in the state's railway modernization efforts.
The Railway Budget 2026 allocations and initiatives signify a robust commitment to enhancing Andhra Pradesh's rail infrastructure, with the bullet train projects and station redevelopments set to transform connectivity and spur regional growth.
