The Indian Railways is moving towards a more efficient, safe, and socially inclusive system, Union Minister for Railways, IT, and Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said in the Lok Sabha, in response to questions raised by Eluru MP P. Mahesh Kumar, on Wednesday.
Highlighting recent fare adjustments, the Minister explained that, after a five-year gap, the Railways has implemented minimal rationalisation of ticket charges from July 1, 2025. The average increase across sleeper, 3AC, 2AC, and general classes ranges between 0.5 to 2 paisa per kilometre. No fare hike was made for journeys under 500 km in the general class, and suburban fares and Monthly Season Tickets (MST) remain unchanged.
The Minister noted that Indian Railways continues to offer significant subsidies—Rs.60,466 crore in FY 2023–24, amounting to nearly 45% of total passenger service costs. Concessions remain for persons with disabilities, patients, and students.
The additional revenue generated is being directed towards service improvement, including safety, punctuality, and station redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Services like Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Namo Bharat trains, along with digital platforms such as Rail Madad and UTS Mobile App, are being expanded for better commuter access.
