Railway Budget 2019: Nirmala Sitharaman proposes Rs 50 lakh crore investment for Railway infrastructure

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman begins presenting the maiden budget 2019 in Lok Sabha today (July 5th).

In her budget speech, the Union Minister has proposed Rs 50 lakh crore investment for Railway infrastructure between 2018-2030. Also, Public-private partnerships (PPP) to be used to unleash faster development and the delivery of passenger freight services.

"Comprehensive restructuring of National Highways Programme will be done, to ensure the creation of National Highways Grid of desirable capacity. Government envisions using rivers for cargo transport,it will also decongest roads and railways," Nirmala Sitharaman said in her speech.

Sitharaman also speaks about the ambitious project of Bharatmala which will enhance the road connectivity. While Sagarmala will help port and waterways connectivity, she added.

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"These along with other such initiatives such as Udaan scheme will improve India's infrastructure, enable connectivity, and bridge the rural and urban divide," said Sitharaman.

Earlier on June 28, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal in Rajya Sabha’s question hour session said, “New employment opportunities have been created for 2.25 to 2.5 lakh people and currently, the recruitment process of 1.5 lakh vacant positions are under process. The Railways will, therefore, provide as many as 4 lakh jobs.”

-With ANI Inputs

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