The demand for grants in connection with Ministry of Railways for 2025-26 was passed in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, with Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explaining that the national transporter had improved its financial position meeting all expenses, including pension payouts through internal resource generation.

Cargo earnings are earnings and freight earnings continue to cross subsidise passenger fares. At least 47 per cent subsidy is provided on actuals when it comes to passenger travel.

“We have a social obligation, and India is amongst the most affordable countries when it comes to train travel,” the Minister said during the discussion on demand for grants of the Ministry in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

The general and sleeper coach to air conditioned (mass to mass premium) coach break-up at present is at 70:30 that is 56,000 general and sleeper class coaches versus 23,000 air conditioned coaches.

Push for Cargo Loading

Indian Railways will carry 1.6 billion tonnes of cargo by FY25, making it the third largest freight loader after China and the US.

Nearly 34,000 km of new track is laid, the dedicated freight corridors are near completion, and 1,400 engines (locomotives) are being produced annually, higher than combined capacity of US and Europe.

On an average 350 trains ply along the two dedicated freight corridors daily, with trains that previously took 24 hours to complete the journey finishing it in 12-odd hours. Some 98-odd Gati Shakti terminals have been completed and depending on demand, “more will be set-up”.

“Locomotives made in Bihar, wheels made in Tamil Nadu will also be exported in the coming days. This is a success of the Make-In-India initiatives,” Vaishnaw said, adding that 500,000 jobs have been generated and the process of recruitment for 100,000 people is under-way.

Tunnel boring machines are being made in Tamil Nadu too.

Accidents Down

According to Vaishnaw, the Railways have increased focus on safety with an outlay of ₹116,000 crore, “substantially higher”.

“Accidents and derailments are down nearly 80 per cent over FY15 . In previous regimes there was one accident or derailment – on an average – every day,” the Minister said. There have been 30 accidents and 43 derailments so far this year.

Technological interventions have also been made to ensure detection of line fractures and also check the health of Railway tracks.

Kavach 4.0 – the indigenous train collision prevention design – is already being rolled out across 10,000 rKMs in the first phase. Specialised training and courses related to Kavach have also been started.

Demand for Vande Bharats

According to Vaishnaw, there is a secular demand for the semi-high speed Vande Bharat trains. The demand comes “from all regions”. At least 50 new Vande Bharat chair cars will be made; and 260 new Vande Bharat sleepers will be made. Around 100-odd Amrit Bharat trains will be made.

“Around 50 new MEMU will be made, along with 50 new Namo Bharat trains,” the Minister said adding that 238 new trains will be manufactured for the Mumbai local train system.

Issues in procurement of trains for Bengaluru subarban system will be solved by obtaining trains from ICF in Chennai, manufactured by Railways.