Railway Minister

Om Birla praises Modi govt for transforming rail connectivity for people

Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla attended the inaugural ceremony of the special train between Kota and Delhi from Kota Railway Station

Railway accidents drop to 81 from 400 in FY25, says Ashwini Vaishnaw

Railway safety has improved with the number of rail accidents coming down significantly to 81 in the last financial year from the 400 earlier, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw asserted on Wednesday. During the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, he also said that continuous efforts are being made, including by way of technological and procedural changes and training methods, to further bring down the rail accidents in the country. Vaishnaw said there has been a very significant improvement in railway safety. "During Lalu ji time, there were around 700 accidents per year, during Mamata Ji's time, there were around 400 accidents, during Kharge ji's time, there were around 385 accidents...In the just closed financial year (2024-25), the number has reduced from 400 to 81, there has been a very significant improvement," he said. Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mamata Banerjee and Mallikarjun Kharge had served as railways ministers. To a query about instances of delay in filing of FIRs for crimes relat

Railways caught 21.6 mn ticketless passengers, earned Rs 562 cr: Vaishnaw

The Indian Railways has caught about 2.16 crore passengers travelling without ticket in 2023-24 and an amount of approximately Rs 562.40 crore as excess charges was realized from these travellers, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said this in a written reply while responding to questions raised by some members regarding the number of passengers caught without ticket during 2023-24 and other related issues. "During the year 2023-24 a total of approximately 2.16 crore passengers were detected travelling without ticket across the Indian Railways and an amount of approximately Rs 562.40 crore as excess charges (excluding fare) was realized from these passengers," Vaishnaw said When asked to provide statewise/station-wise data of ticketless travellers, Vaishnaw said that it is not maintained that way. "Special ticket checking campaigns are undertaken by zonal railways from time to time keeping in view the local conditions or as per directions ..

Govt identifies 15 out of 1,337 stations for redevelopment on PPP model

Ministry of Railways explored various models to redevelop stations and presently 15 stations out of 1,337 have been identified for redevelopment on public-private partnership model, the government has informed the Lok Sabha. Responding to questions, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply on Wednesday said that Rani Kamalapati station in Madhya Pradesh has been developed and commissioned under PPP model. DMK member C N Annadurai asked the number of railway stations identified for redevelopment under the PPP model and the total investment proposed and received so far under the said model for station redevelopment. Annadurai also wanted to know the list of private entities involved in these projects and the criteria for their selection and the financial model being followed, including revenue-sharing mechanisms between the government and private players among various other issues related to the PPP model. Project formulation is a complex and iterative process requiring .

Anticipated cost of connecting Kargil with railways Rs 1.31 trn: Vaishnaw

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said a Detailed Project Report of the new Bilaspur-Manali-Leh line has been prepared

Collective efforts helped us run over 16k trains for Mahakumbh: Vaishnaw

The 45-day-long religious gathering, Mahakumbh 2025, concluded on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri, yet devotees continue to arrive at Prayagraj's Triveni Sangam for a holy dip

Ashwini Vaishnaw outlines steps to prevent stampedes, improve crowd control

Creating holding area at 60 stations experiencing high footfalls, a separate crowd management manual and raising awareness among passengers to not sit at stairs are among the measures being taken to prevent untoward incidents, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Monday. These initiatives are being taken in the wake of a stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station Saturday evening which killed 18 passengers, according to official figures, and left several injured. Interacting with mediapersons at the Rail Bhawan here, Vashnaw said the Railways has identified 60 stations which normally receive a high footfall and decided to make permanent or temporary holding areas outside the platforms to regulate the flow of passengers to the stations. "Sixty stations such as New Delhi, Patna, Surat, Bengaluru, Coimbatore have been identified for creating a holding area to manage the flow of passengers inside the station. They will be allowed to enter the platform according to departure of their

On moral ground: Railway ministers who resigned after train tragedies

Here's a list of railway ministers who resigned, or offered to resign, following major train tragedies, taking moral responsibility for the incidents

Govt should accept that wrong announcement was made: Ex-Railway Minister

The tragedy occurred at 10 p.m. on Saturday as lakhs of devotees were heading to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh 2025 festival, causing significant overcrowding at the station

Punjab gets Rs 5,421 cr, Haryana Rs 3,416 cr for rail infra boost: Vaishnaw

The government has allocated Rs 5,421 crore to Punjab and Rs 3,416 crore to Haryana in the Union Budget to strengthen its rail infrastructure, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnav said on Monday. This year's allocation was 24 times more than what Punjab received from 2009-2014 (Rs 225 crore), the Railway Minister said in a video conference. Haryana received Rs 315 crore for its railway projects between 2009 and 2014 and this year's allocations is 11 times that number, the minister said. Vaishnav said 30 Amrit stations are being developed in Punjab at a cost of Rs 1,122 crores, and that 34 Amrit stations are being developed in Haryana at a cost of Rs 1,149 crore. In Punjab, Amrit stations are being developed in Abohar, Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, Beas, Bathinda, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar Cantt, Mansa and Malerkotla, among others. In Haryana, Ambala Cantt, Ambala City, Bahadurgarh, Ballabhgarh, Bhiwani Junction, Charkhi Dadri, Faridabad, Faridabad New Town, Gohana, Hansi, .

Ashwini Vaishnaw stresses industry-academic coordination for employment

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday said that coordination between industry and academia was necessary to increase the employability of the youth. Vaishnaw was addressing a gathering after flagging off three new trains. 'The requirement of the industry should be provided in college as this increases employability of the youth. Today is a very important day as we inaugurate the National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) deemed-to-be-university at 12 locations, including five in the Northeast," Vaishnaw said. NIELIT is the only university under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Vaishnaw flagged off Guwahati-New Lakhimpur Janshatabdi Express, New Bongaigaon-Guwahati passenger train and Tinsukia-Naharlagun Express from Guwahati railway station during his day-long visit to Assam. Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were also present on the occasion. He also virtually inaugurated the Tetelia road .

Vande Bharat sleeper trains to undergo field trials soon: Ashwini Vaishnaw

The first prototype of the Vande Bharat sleeper trainset has been manufactured and will undergo field trials soon, the government informed Parliament on Friday. In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw added that the timeline for the rollout of the train is subject to a successful completion of the trials. According to the minister, the Vande Bharat sleeper trains, planned for long and medium-distance journeys, are equipped with modern features and passenger amenities. Vaishnaw highlighted some of the distinguished features and amenities of these trains, such as the automatic train protection system Kavach, latest fire-safety standards compliance, crashworthy and jerk-free semi-permanent couplers and anti-climbers, a regenerative braking system for energy efficiency, higher average speed with quick deceleration and acceleration, among others. Talking about medium-distance Vande Bharat train services, Vaishnaw said as on December 2, 136

India will continue to grow at 6-8% for next 5 years: Ashwini Vaishnaw

India will continue to grow at 6-8 per cent for the next five years due to the transformative changes ushered in by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the face of global turmoil and geopolitical tensions, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Friday. Addressing the NDTV Indian Of The Year Awards function, Vaishnaw said India's growth story was based on four pillars of massive public investments, focus on manufacturing and innovation, inclusive growth and simplification of laws. Vaishnaw said the world saw India as a ray of hope in times of global turmoil, two wars, disruption of supply chains and the hit taken by the world economy due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The minister credited Modi's "considered thought process" and "clearly laid out plans" for India's sustained economic growth. "We can say with a very high degree of confidence that India will continue to grow at 6-8 per cent real growth, 10-14 per cent nominal growth and a very moderate inflation for the

The Railways Amendment Bill 2024 seeks to simplify legal framework

Opposition fears privatisation

Over 99,000 women employees in railways, including 2,037 loco pilots: Govt

As of March 31, 2024, 99,809 women employees were working in the Indian Railways, including 2,037 loco pilots, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday. Vaishnaw was responding to questions raised by BJP MP Doctor Manna Lal Rawat who wanted to know the details regarding women employees in the Indian Railways and those who are in train operation. Rawat also asked about the number of women working as loco pilots in train operation and the percentage of women loco pilots as compared to men. Vaishnaw in response said, Direct recruitment to various posts in the Indian Railways is done as per the laid down procedure. Irrespective of gender, all the candidates fulfilling the prescribed eligibility criteria are eligible for the recruitment. As on 31.03.2024, 99,809 women employees are working in Indian Railways which includes 2,037 loco pilots, the Railway Minister added.

Railways gives Rs 56,993 cr subsidy on tickets every year: Ashwini Vaishnaw

A total subsidy of Rs 56,993 crore is given every year by the Indian Railways to all categories of passengers, with a 46 per cent rebate on every ticket, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday. Replying to multiple questions in the Lok Sabha on restoring discounts given to various categories of train passengers, he said if the price of a ticket is Rs 100, then the railways charges just Rs 54 for it -- a discount of 46 per cent. "A total of Rs 56,993 crore subsidy is given every year by the Indian Railways to all classes of passengers," Vaishnaw said during the Question Hour. Replying to another question on rapid train service, he said the railways has already started such a service -- Namo Bharat Rapid Rail -- between Bhuj and Ahmedabad and the satisfaction level of passengers is extremely high due to its superior service. Officials said Namo Bharat Rapid Rail has improved intercity connectivity by covering the 359-kilometre distance between Bhuj and Ahmedabad in 5 hou

CPI submits breach of privilege motion in RS against Ashwini Vaishnaw

CPI floor leader in Rajya Sabha P Sandosh Kumar on Monday submitted a breach of privilege motion against Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, accusing him of misleading the House by providing figures contradictory to the ministry's own data submitted earlier to the House. According to a statement issued by the CPI, the ministry, in response to a question raised by CPI MP P P Suneer on safety of railway workers, provided the number of 65 deaths and 569 injuries from 2014-15 to 2023-24, a period of 10 years. However, in an earlier reply in Rajya Sabha on December 8, 2023, the ministry said that 361 railway workers died due to train accidents during maintenance work on rail tracks in the last five years (from 2019-20 to 27.11.2023), the statement said. The CPI said the ministry's reply on Monday sharply contradict the figures provided by it earlier in the Rajya Sabha. The party said in a sub-question of the raised question, Suneer had asked for the zone-wise details of the number of dea

Railways achieve 97% electrification, targets 100% green rail network: Govt

Indian Railways is advancing the electrification of Broad Gauge railway lines at a mission-driven pace, achieving approximately 97 per cent electrification of its total Broad Gauge network, Union Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw stated in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.Vaishnaw noted that around 45,200 route kilometres of the Broad Gauge network have been electrified since 2014-15. He highlighted a significant increase in the pace of electrification, from approximately 1.42 km per day during 2004-14 to about 19.7 km per day in 2023-24.He further emphasised that electric traction is not only more environmentally friendly but also approximately 70 per cent more economical compared to diesel traction.The Union Minister stressed the importance of a reliable power supply for electric train operations. The system incorporates multiple safeguards, including connections to the national grid through state and

ICF manufacturing high-speed trains having 280 kmph speed: Railway minister

The Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, in collaboration with BEML, is designing and manufacturing high-speed train sets that will have a design speed of 280 kmph, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told Parliament on Wednesday. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Vaishnaw said following the success of Vande Bharat trains under the "Make in India" initiative, the Indian Railways (IR) has now taken up designing and manufacturing of high-speed train sets. "The manufacturing cost is approximately Rs 28 crore per car (excluding taxes), which is highly competitive compared with other train sets," he said, replying to questions raised by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Sudhir Gupta and Ananta Nayak. "The design and manufacturing of high-speed train sets is a complex and technology-intensive process," the minister added. He also highlighted the major technical aspects, such as the design and manufacturing of the aerodynamic, airtight car body, design and manufacturing of ...

Railways recruited 500,000 employees since 2014: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday said the department recruited five lakh employees in the last decade a number slightly higher than the previous decade. He made the statement at the national convention of the All India SC/ST Railway Employees Association, held on Ajani Railway Ground in Nagpur. The minister said the recruitment number between 2004 and 2014 was 4.4 lakh. He also highlighted the introduction of an annual recruitment calendar for the first time in Indian Railways' history. According to a press release, the event was attended by the association president B L Bhairava, Central Railway General Manager Dharamveer Meena, and South East Central Railway General Manager Neenu. It said Vaishnaw also appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's gesture of giving a bow to the Constitution before entering Parliament. "Respect for the Constitution goes beyond symbolism; it is reflected in action," he said ahead of the Constitution Day on Tuesday. The minister said 12