FCC

Indian Railways boosts investment in passenger safety by 54 per cent

2023-09-04

Indian Railways has taken substantial steps to prioritise passenger safety, with a remarkable 54per cent increase in fund utilisation over the past five months compared to the corresponding period last year, as stated by the railways ministry. This enhanced investment is intended to bolster safety-related initiatives and enhance the overall railway experience.

During the period from April 1 to August 31, the national railway network has also directed significant funding towards various infrastructure projects, including the development of new rail lines, track doubling, gauge conversion, and improvements to passenger amenities.

The Ministry of Railway emphasised the significance of this capital expenditure, stating that "safety of the passengers is paramount in Railways." They further highlighted that the capital expenditure utilisation has reached approximately 48 per cent, marking a new high in the first five months of this financial year.

In addition to its commitment to safety, Indian Railways has achieved notable revenue growth. Over the same five-month period, the railway has generated a revenue of Rs 1000 billion, encompassing earnings from freight services, passenger services, and other miscellaneous sources.

The railway network's achievements in freight loading are particularly noteworthy, with 634.66 tonne of goods transported between April 1, 2023, and August 31, 2023. This represents an increase from the 620.88 tonne recorded during the corresponding period of the previous year. Key segments like fertiliser, cement, containers, petroleum, oil, lubricants (POL), and coal have all shown significant growth in loading and revenue.

Furthermore, Indian Railways has witnessed a remarkable 26 per cent growth in automobile transportation by rail, accompanied by a 24.5 per cent increase in earnings from the automobile sector, reflecting the railway's commitment to diverse sectors of the economy.