Overview

• Indian Railways invested Rs 1.42 lakh crore in April–September FY26, equal to 56.5% of its Rs 2.52 lakh crore allocation and the highest mid‑year utilisation on record.
• H1 outlays included Rs 22,286 crore for safety works (56% of the annual goal), Rs 49,001 crore for capacity augmentation (45%), Rs 25,948 crore for rolling stock (46%), and Rs 5,863 crore for customer amenities.
• CPSEs and central agencies recorded cumulative capex of Rs 3.85 lakh crore in H1FY26, up 14% year on year and reaching 49% of the aggregated Rs 7.85 lakh crore annual target.
• September capex rebounded sharply to Rs 1.13 lakh crore, about 60% higher than a year earlier, offsetting mid‑year volatility in monthly spending.
• Officials cite improved project monitoring and faster fund releases, and analysts say sustained public investment should lift demand for steel, cement and electrical equipment.