The capital expenditure (Capex) by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Railway Ministry in creating infrastructure, has crossed Rs 2 lakh crore in the first four months (till July) of the current financial year.
This is the highest ever utilisation of Capex by the two ministries. Nearly half of the Rs 10 lakh crore Capex has been allocated to these two ministries.
The central government has set a target to spend 80 per cent of the total Capex by December, much ahead of the next general elections.
Indian Railways has spent more than 40 per cent Capex utilisation till July. They added that more than Rs 1 lakh crore has been spent by the national transporter in ongoing infrastructure and safety projects.
In the Budget 2023-24, the maximum ever Capex of Rs 2.6 lakh crore was allocated to the Railways.
According to the Railways, the whopping investment is seen in various infrastructure projects such as new lines, doubling, gauge conversion and enhancing passenger amenities. A significant sum has been invested in enhancing the safety related works.
The Capex utilisation of the current fiscal is 31.3 per cent more than the corresponding period last year.
According to the Road Ministry, the total capital expenditure in the road sector has been around Rs 1.2 lakh crore, against the total allocation of Rs 2.59 lakh crore for the entire financial year.