Indian Railways Boosts Northeast Connectivity with Rs 11,486 Crore Allocation

• Indian Railways has allocated Rs 11,486 crore for Assam and the North Eastern states for 2026-27, a fivefold increase since 2014.
• Massive infrastructure push underway with Rs 72,468 crore worth of railway projects in progress, including new lines and connectivity to Bhutan.
• New Vande Bharat Sleeper train services launched on Kamakhya-Howrah route and Amrit Bharat Express services from Guwahati and Dibrugarh.
• Varanasi-Siliguri bullet train corridor proposed, with future plans to extend to Guwahati, integrating Northeast into high-speed rail network.
• Significant progress in network expansion, electrification (98% in Assam), safety systems (Kavach), and construction of 502 flyovers/underpasses.

Why It Matters: Indian Railways significantly enhances Northeast's rail infrastructure, connectivity, and safety with substantial investment and new projects.