Indian Railways Offers Most Affordable Train Tickets Amid Subsidy Support

Economic Times
Economic Times
1d ago • 3 views
Indian Railways maintains highly affordable train fares, supported by a ₹60,000 crore subsidy, with prices at 5-10% of developed countries’ fares.
Indian Railways Offers Most Affordable Train Tickets Amid Subsidy Support
A What happened
During a session in the Indian Lok Sabha, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw detailed how Indian Railways ensures highly affordable train travel by maintaining fares at merely 5-10% of those in developed countries and competitively low compared to neighboring nations. The government actively subsidized rail passenger transport with about ₹60,000 crore in the last fiscal year to sustain these low fares, emphasizing the commitment to accessible transportation for citizens.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Significant Government Subsidy: The Indian government provided ₹60,000 crore in subsidies last year to keep train fares low for passengers.

  • 2

    Comparatively Low Fares: Train ticket prices in India are only 5-10% of those in developed countries and remain very affordable compared to neighboring countries.

  • 3

    Focus on Accessibility: Subsidies and pricing policies aim to ensure train travel remains accessible to a majority of citizens across India.

  • 4

    Government Response in Parliament: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw presented these details in the Lok Sabha, addressing questions about restoring discounts for senior citizens.

  • 5

    Competitive Regional Pricing: India’s train fares are notably lower than those of neighboring countries, enhancing regional transport affordability.

Takeaways

Indian Railways, supported by substantial government subsidies, continues to provide some of the world's most affordable train travel, fostering accessible transportation options for its citizens.

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Business & Markets Economy World & Politics Policy & Regulation Governance Development