Revamping India's Railways: A Journey Towards Affordability

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced no plans to privatize India's railways, emphasizing affordable travel for all. Focused on technology and safety, the railways aim for significant changes in the next five years, with a budget of Rs 2.5 lakh crore and improved services like Vande Bharat trains.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw firmly stated on Friday that there are no plans to privatize the Indian Railways. He emphasized the goal of providing affordable travel for the public, with costs capped at under Rs 400 for a 1,000-kilometer journey.

Vaishnaw outlined a vision of transformation over the next five years, highlighted by modern trains such as Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat, and the deployment of the Kavach train protection mechanism. Speaking at the Railway Protection Force Raising Day event, he labeled this period as a transformative era for the railways.

The minister's remarks included a plea to avoid politicizing the railways, stressing performance, safety, and service affordability as priorities under Prime Minister Modi's leadership. Additionally, a Rs 2.5 lakh crore budget reflects the expansion and enhancement ambitions, with recent infrastructure growth outpacing that of countries like France.

(With inputs from agencies.)