Indian Railways Spends $22 Billion on Modernisation, But Are Core Issues Being Addressed?
Indian Railways, one of the largest rail networks in the world, has spent over $22 billion (₹1.92 trillion) in the current fiscal year on modernising its infrastructure. This includes a wide array of projects aimed at improving safety, capacity, and sustainability. With the government pledging to achieve net-zero carbon emissions on the railways by 2030, these efforts focus on electrification, new rail lines, and faster, safer trains.
But, as the railways receive such immense financial backing, the question arises: is this spending enough to address the everyday concerns faced by millions of passengers? While the investment looks impressive on paper, it does little to solve persistent issues that affect daily train travel, such as overcrowding, poor hygiene, and slow speeds. Is upgrading the infrastructure enough when fundamental passenger experiences are often left wanting?
As of January 5, Indian Railways had spent ₹344 billion ($4 billion) on safety-related works and ₹403 billion ($4.7 billion) on rolling stock (trains), including a major focus on the Vande Bharat trains. These modern trains, which are expected to improve long-distance travel, are currently undergoing speed and safety certification and are set to launch this year. With these developments, Indian Railways aims to reduce travel time and make trains more comfortable and secure for passengers. But even as new trains and expanded electrification are welcomed, Indian Railways faces long-standing challenges, such as overcrowded trains and poor hygiene. For a nation that transports over 23 million passengers daily, basic issues like cleanliness and timely arrivals are still problematic. Passengers continue to complain about unclean stations, toilets, and other basic amenities that are crucial for making rail travel more comfortable. These issues, if not tackled, could undermine the positive impact of the significant investments being made.
In terms of safety, the Indian Railways is also focusing on upgrading its infrastructure. The government has allocated funds to improve safety mechanisms, including track doubling, gauge conversion, and introducing modern signalling systems. However, despite these efforts, accidents continue to plague the system, with incidents often resulting in fatalities. Just last year, more than 100 accidents occurred, raising concerns about the efficacy of safety measures. With such a large population relying on the trains, critics argue that more needs to be done to ensure the safety of passengers during their daily commute. The railways’ ambitious plans to build a “future-ready” system to meet the demands of India’s growing population are commendable. The progress in terms of electrification (97% of broad-gauge lines) and the introduction of Vande Bharat trains showcases the commitment to modernisation. But when accidents still happen on a frequent basis, and issues like hygiene and overcrowding remain pervasive, the question remains: Are these massive investments in infrastructure enough to solve the underlying issues?
The future of Indian Railways depends on finding a balance between upgrading its infrastructure and addressing the basic needs of passengers. While the large-scale projects are a step in the right direction, the experience of every train traveller should be prioritised just as much as speed and electrification if India’s railway system is to truly evolve into a world-class network. While Indian Railways’ spending is undeniably high, it must take a holistic approach that includes not only advanced technology and safety but also improvements in passenger comfort, cleanliness, and overall reliability. Without addressing these pressing concerns, the fruits of this vast expenditure may be far less impactful than hoped.
