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Railways Boosts Affordable Travel with More Non-AC Coaches, 45% Subsidy

Indian Railways is expanding affordable travel options by increasing the number of non-AC general and sleeper coaches. The government provides an average concession of about 45% per passenger, amounting to a massive annual subsidy. Significant progress has been made in freight loading, network electrification, and track construction. Safety remains a core priority, with a major increase in modern LHB coaches and safety infrastructure like bridges and automatic signalling.

Key Points: Indian Railways Expands Non-AC Coaches, Offers 45% Subsidy

  • 70% coaches are non-AC
  • Annual passenger subsidy ~Rs 60,000 crore
  • Freight loading up 56% since 2013-14
  • Over 99% network electrified
  • Safety focus with more LHB coaches
2 min read

Indian Railways prioritising affordable travel with more non-AC coaches, 45 pc subsidy

Indian Railways prioritizes affordable travel by adding non-AC coaches and providing a 45% passenger subsidy, while boosting freight and safety.

"Railways provides a passenger subsidy of approximately Rs 60,000 crore annually - Ministry of Railways"

New Delhi, March 18

Indian Railways is prioritising affordable travel by expanding non‑AC general and sleeper capacity and providing an average concession of about 45 per cent per passenger to keep fares low, the government has said.

Around 70 per cent of coaches are general and sleeper class and additional general coaches include about 1,250 coaches in 2024-25 and around 860 in 2025-26, according to Ministry of Railways.

Railways provides a passenger subsidy of approximately Rs 60,000 crore annually, with an additional Rs 3,000 crore subsidy for suburban sections such as Mumbai.

Freight loading has increased from about 1,055 million tonnes in 2013-14 to around 1,650 million tonnes, making Indian Railways the second-largest freight carrier globally, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.

The minister also highlighted electrification rising rapidly to nearly 47,000 km, with over 99 per cent of the network electrified.

"Track construction has accelerated substantially, with approximately 35,000 km of new tracks laid, compared to about 15,000 km in the earlier period," he noted.

In terms of safety infrastructure, the number of Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs) has increased from around 4,000 to about 14,000. Automatic signalling has expanded from about 1,500 km to over 4,000 km.

Vaishnaw emphasised that safety remains a core priority, with focused interventions in track maintenance, rolling stock maintenance, technology adoption, and training practices.

The Mminister also stated that safer Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) coaches have increased significantly, with about 48,000 coaches added in recent years. Locomotive production has also risen to around 12,000 units, while wagon induction has crossed 2 lakh units, he noted.

The government brought in greater transparency and institutional monitoring, with projects being reviewed through systems involving the Ministry of Finance and NITI Aayog, he added.

The minister noted that the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) have seen substantial progress, with around 2,800 km completed and about 480 freight trains operating daily on these corridors.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good to see the expansion of sleeper class. It's the backbone of long-distance travel for the middle class. The stats on electrification and safety infrastructure like ROBs/RUBs are impressive on paper. My humble request: please ensure this translates to fewer delays and more punctual services for the common passenger.
A
Aman W
While affordability is key, the real test is the travel experience. Adding 1250 coaches is great, but are there enough platforms, clean toilets, and drinking water facilities to handle the increased capacity? The focus should be holistic. The freight corridor progress, however, is a game-changer for the economy.
S
Sarah B
As someone who travels frequently between Delhi and Mumbai, the shift to LHB coaches is very noticeable and appreciated – the ride is smoother and feels safer. The massive subsidy is interesting. It shows the government's intent, but I wonder about the long-term financial sustainability of such a large concession.
V
Vikram M
Bharat ka rail network duniya ka sabse complex hai. Yeh data dikhata hai ki capacity aur safety dono par kaam ho raha hai. 35,000 km naye track! Freight loading badhna achi baat hai, isse passenger fares par pressure kam hoga. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
K
Kavya N
Respectfully, while the numbers look good, the ground reality for women travelers in general coaches, especially at night, still needs drastic improvement. More coaches must come with better security measures. The automatic signalling expansion is a positive step for safety, hope it's implemented effectively across all zones.

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