Indian Railways overcomes Covid-19 financial challenges

Indian Railways has reported a significant recovery from financial troubles caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. He noted that more passengers are returning to train travel, with traffic expected to reach 700 crore this year. During a discussion in the Rajya Sabha, Vaishnaw stated that train fares in India have not increased since 2020 and remain the lowest compared to neighboring countries. He highlighted that passenger subsidies for the upcoming year are estimated to be around ₹57,000 crore. Vaishnaw also mentioned that by March 31, Indian Railways is projected to rank among the top three countries in cargo handling worldwide. This year, India has transported 1.6 billion tonnes of goods. Safety improvements have been made, including the replacement of 50,000 km of tracks and the manufacturing of 1,400 new locomotives. The minister pointed out a significant reduction in rail accidents, claiming a 90% decrease compared to past years. In contrast, the opposition criticized the railways Ministry's performance, calling recent claims of success misleading. They expressed concerns over management issues and the impact on passengers.