New Delhi: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has emphasized that India’s railway fares have remained constant since 2020 and are significantly lower than neighboring countries. In the Lok Sabha, he stated that for a 350-km journey, fares in India stand at Rs 121, compared to Rs 436 in Pakistan, Rs 323 in Bangladesh, and Rs 413 in Sri Lanka. European nations, he added, charge five to 20 times more.
Major Safety Improvements Under Modi Government
Highlighting a sharp reduction in railway accidents, Vaishnaw asserted that accidents have decreased by 90 per cent since the tenure of Lalu Prasad Yadav as Railway Minister. He cited that during Lalu’s tenure, the Indian Railways witnessed 234 accidents and 464 derailments annually. These figures were lower during the tenures of Mamata Banerjee and Mallikarjun Kharge but still significantly higher than today. By contrast, in the Modi era, railway accidents have dropped to just 30 per year, with derailments at 43.
The minister attributed this progress to enhanced safety measures, investment in technology, and the rollout of Kavach, an advanced train protection system, across 10,000 locomotives and 15,000 km of track.
Financial Stability and Expansion of Railway Network
Despite the financial challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Vaishnaw noted that Indian Railways has regained stability and now meets most of its expenses through internal revenue. He called the Railway Budget for 2025-26 “historic” and pointed out that 34,000 km of railway tracks have been laid in the past decade, surpassing Germany’s total rail network. Additionally, 50,000 km of aging tracks have been replaced to enhance safety and speed.
Boost in Employment and Freight Transportation
Vaishnaw announced that five lakh individuals have secured employment in the railways, with an additional one lakh recruitments in progress. Indian Railways has also emerged among the top three freight carriers globally, set to transport 1.6 billion tonnes of cargo this year.
Crowd Management and Station Upgrades
Addressing concerns over overcrowding at stations, the minister outlined steps such as the construction of holding areas at 60 major stations, installation of CCTV cameras, and new foot-over bridges. He recalled last month's stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, stating that permanent measures are being implemented to prevent such incidents.
Special trains have been deployed during peak travel seasons. In the last year alone, Indian Railways operated:
- 604 Holi special trains
- 13,000 summer specials
- 8,000 Diwali and Chhath Puja specials
_ 17,330 special trains for the Maha Kumbh Mela
India Emerging as a Global Rail Equipment Exporter
Indian Railways is gaining global recognition, exporting metro coaches to Australia and railway coaches to the UK, Saudi Arabia, and France. Additionally, railway operation equipment is now being sent to Mexico, Spain, Germany, and Italy.
Vaishnaw highlighted that locomotives from Bihar and wheels manufactured in Tamil Nadu will soon power trains worldwide, showcasing India’s growing prowess in railway technology and exports.
Expanding Connectivity in the Northeast and Metro Projects
The government has fast-tracked several Northeast railway projects, including the Sevoke-Rangpo line in Sikkim and broad-gauge expansion in Tripura, marking a significant milestone for the region.
The Kolkata Metro project, which saw just 28 km of work completed between 1972 and 2014, has progressed rapidly under the Modi government, with 38 km added in just the past decade.
Bullet Train and Modernization of Crew Facilities
On India’s ambitious bullet train project, Vaishnaw reaffirmed the government’s commitment to its completion, stating that high-speed rail is essential for the nation’s future.
Furthermore, all 558 loco pilot rest areas are now air-conditioned, and 1,100 locomotives have been equipped with toilets for female pilots, marking a significant improvement in working conditions for railway staff.
With these advancements, Indian Railways is not only ensuring affordability for passengers but also prioritizing safety, expansion, and modernisation at an unprecedented scale.