Hyderabad, July 11 (HS): Union Minister for Railways and Electronics & IT Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday said the Centre has increased the railway budget allocation for Telangana to ₹5,000 crore, while announcing major infrastructure and high-speed rail initiatives for the state.

Addressing a programme on Technology's Role in Viksit Bharat-2047 at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), Vaishnaw said the railway budget for the undivided Andhra Pradesh during the UPA government stood at ₹880 crore.

The Union Minister said the Secunderabad Railway Station is being modernised and redevelopment works are underway at 40 railway stations across Telangana. He also said five Vande Bharat Express trains are currently operating in the state.

Announcing progress on India's high-speed rail network, Vaishnaw said the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project is expected to become operational next year. He further stated that the Centre has approved seven new bullet train corridors across the country, including three connecting Hyderabad with Chennai, Bengaluru and Mumbai.

Highlighting the Centre's push for electronics manufacturing, the Minister said four electronics manufacturing units have been approved in Telangana. He added that production has already commenced at one of the semiconductor facilities sanctioned by the Centre.

Speaking on emerging technologies, Vaishnaw said artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities across sectors and playing an important role in addressing technological challenges.

Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy also attended the programme.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar