The South Western Railway (SWR) has received a substantial budgetary allocation for the fiscal year 2024-25, marking a significant boost to railway infrastructure and safety in Karnataka. This allocation is part of the overall railway budget of 2.62 lakh crores, with a dedicated safety budget of Rs. 1,09,000 crore.


Karnataka has been granted its highest-ever allocation of Rs. 7,559 crore under working expenses for 2024-25. This figure represents a dramatic increase of nine times compared to the average budget grant of Rs. 835 crore during 2009-14, highlighting the government's renewed focus on the state's railway development.


Currently, 31 ongoing projects spanning 3,840 km and worth Rs. 47,016 crore are underway in Karnataka. Over the past decade, 638 Road Over Bridges and Road Under Bridges have been constructed across the state, significantly enhancing safety for road commuters.


The state has seen remarkable progress in railway expansion and electrification. From 2014 to 2024, the average annual new line construction increased to 163 kilometers, a 1.4 times increase from the 2009-2014 period. Electrification has seen an even more dramatic rise, with the average annual electrification jumping from 18 km during 2009-2014 to 317 km in the past decade - an eighteen-fold increase.


Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 59 railway stations across Karnataka are slated for redevelopment. This ambitious project aims to transform these stations into world-class facilities, enhancing passenger experience and modernizing infrastructure to meet growing demands.


Specifically for the South Western Railway, 46 stations are being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme at a cost of Rs. 1,103 crore. Additionally, five major stations are undergoing significant upgrades. Notable among these are the Yesvantpur station, being developed at a cost of Rs. 367 crore with completion expected by July 2025, and the Bengaluru Cantt. station, with a Rs. 484 crore development plan targeted for completion by October 2025.


The SWR has also made significant strides in electrification, with 88% of its route currently electrified. The railway zone is aiming for complete electrification by March 2025, aligning with the national goal of a more sustainable and efficient rail network.