Rajasthan gets Rs 26000 crore in transport upgrades
Prime Minister on Wednesday inaugurated and laid foundation stones for a series of infrastructure projects across Rajasthan, collectively valued at over ₹26,000 crore.
The event, held at Palana village near Bikaner, focused on transport, energy, healthcare, and public utilities. Among the highlights was the launch of the Bikaner–Mumbai Express, flagged off from the newly redeveloped Deshnoke railway station, which now features design elements inspired by the Karni Mata Temple. The new train is expected to significantly enhance direct connectivity between Rajasthan and Maharashtra. The Prime Minister also inaugurated 103 redeveloped railway stations across 18 states and Union Territories under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS). Stations at Deshnoke, Bikaner, Churu, Ratangarh, and Nokha in Rajasthan were included, with upgrades such as wider foot overbridges, high-level platforms, lifts, escalators, modern lighting, CCTV surveillance, and improved passenger amenities. Additionally, the foundation stone was laid for the doubling of the Churu–Sadulpur railway line, a move aimed at increasing rail capacity and reducing delays. Several rail sections, including Suratgarh–Phalodi, Phulera–Degana, Udaipur–Himmatnagar, Phalodi–Jaisalmer, and Samdari–Barmer, were dedicated after recent electrification, which will support faster, more energy-efficient travel across western Rajasthan.
Road development also formed a key part of the ₹26,000 crore investment. Ten major highway projects were either inaugurated or had their foundation stones laid. These include the widening of national highways, construction of underpasses, and strategic road works near the India–Pakistan border to enhance both civilian and defence mobility. In the energy sector, two large-scale solar power plants were inaugurated in Bikaner and Udaipur, alongside a Green Energy Corridor designed to transmit renewable energy to other states. Public service upgrades featured prominently, with the launch of a fluorosis mitigation and clean drinking water supply scheme in Jhunjhunu, targeting areas affected by contaminated groundwater. In Pali, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for water infrastructure upgrades under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme. To strengthen healthcare education, new nursing colleges were inaugurated in Rajsamand, Pratapgarh, Bhilwara, and Dholpur. These institutions are expected to improve the supply of trained medical personnel and expand access to quality healthcare in underserved districts.
The massive investment signals a push towards integrated infrastructure development in Rajasthan, with long-term benefits expected across sectors including transportation, energy, and public health.
