Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw refutes opposition allegations, stating that India's railway fares are lower than those in neighboring countries, that 500,000 jobs have been created in the railways, and that locomotive exports are imminent.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: Addressing the Rajya Sabha during a discussion on the functioning of the Railway Ministry, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw criticized the opposition, stating that crucial sectors like railways and defense should be kept free from political maneuvering. He accused the opposition of making misleading statements, claiming that over 500,000 jobs have been created in the railways in the last 10 years, with another 100,000 appointments currently underway.
India's Railway Fares Cheaper than Neighboring Countries
The Railway Minister asserted that railway fares in India are significantly lower than those in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He presented data showing that in India, a passenger in general class pays only ₹121 for a journey up to 350 km, while the same journey costs ₹400 in Pakistan and ₹413 in Sri Lanka. He added that fares in Western countries are 10-20 times higher than in India. He also stated that Indian Railways has not increased fares since 2020.
Railway Achievements: Soon to be the World's Third Largest Freight Network
Highlighting the railways' achievements, the Railway Minister stated that Indian Railways' freight capacity is steadily increasing. Currently, its capacity is second only to China and the USA, but it will soon join the top three with a freight capacity of 1.6 billion tons.
Number of General Compartments Not Reduced, but Increasing: Railway Minister
Dismissing opposition allegations, Vaishnaw stated that the railways have no plans to reduce the number of general compartments. He explained that Indian Railways profits from freight transportation and subsidizes passenger fares.
The Railway Minister revealed that the cost per passenger journey per kilometer is ₹1.38, but only ₹0.72 is charged from passengers. In 2023-24, the railways provided a passenger subsidy of ₹570 billion. For passenger convenience, the railways are preparing over 17,000 non-AC (unreserved) coaches to be added to various trains.
Transparent Recruitment Process in Railways
Rejecting opposition allegations of corruption in railway recruitment, the Railway Minister stated that the recruitment process is completely transparent. He mentioned that currently, 1.2 million employees work in the railways, of whom 500,000 were appointed in the last 10 years. He also pointed out that 40 percent of railway employees are young, leading to improved work efficiency.
The Railway Minister stated that Indian Railways is now exporting its equipment and engines to several countries. Locomotives manufactured in Madhora, Bihar, will soon be exported. In 2024, India manufactured 1,400 locomotives, exceeding the combined production of the USA and Europe.
