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The Railways will maintain a 2:3 ratio of non-AC coaches to AC coaches, with a special manufacturing programme to ensure more general coaches are available nationwide.
Manufacturing of general coaches is already underway, with 1,400 set to be completed by March 31. (PTI)
Following the 2025 Budget, Indian Railways has announced an ambitious plan to introduce 100 Amrit Bharat, 50 Namo Bharat, and 200 Vande Bharat trains, including sleeper and chair car options, in the next two to three years.
These new trains aim to improve connectivity across the country. According to The Financial Express, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also revealed plans to manufacture 17,500 Non-AC General and Sleeper Coaches.
This initiative will enhance rail travel for low-income passengers and help ease pressure on existing railway infrastructure. To manage the growing demand, the Railways will maintain a 2:3 ratio for non-AC coaches and a 1:3 ratio for AC coaches, with a special focus on manufacturing general coaches.
Furthermore, the government has allocated Rs 2.52 lakh crore for upgrading Indian Railways in the 2025-26 Budget, continuing its focus on modernisation. New projects worth Rs 4.6 lakh crore are set to be completed over the next four to five years, including the laying of new railway lines, station redevelopments, and building flyovers and underpasses.
As part of the general coach programme, Vaishnaw confirmed that 1,400 coaches will be completed by March 31, with a target of 2,000 more in FY 2025-26. Additionally, 1,000 new flyovers have been approved.
In another major development, Indian Railways will achieve 100 percent electrification by the end of this financial year. A stronger focus on safety has been highlighted with an increased investment in rail safety, rising from Rs 1.08 lakh crore to Rs 1.16 lakh crore over the next year.
Lastly, Indian Railways is set to hit a major milestone by March 31, becoming the second-largest cargo-carrying railway system in the world, with a capacity of 1.6 billion tonnes, trailing only China.
