New projects, trains to put railways earnings on fast track

The Railways expects to more than double its net earnings in 2025-26 to '3,041.3 crore on the back of improved passenger, freight and sundry earnings and nil growth in government capital expenditure. As per budget documents, capital support from the Centre is expected to be consistent at '2.52 lakh crore. But total revenue receipts are expected to top '3 lakh crore for the first time, improving earnings of the national transporter.

Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the allocations would lead to manufacturing of 100 new Amrit Bharat trains, 50 Namo Bharat trains and about 200 Vande Bharats, including the sleeper and chair car versions. "In this budget, projects worth '4.6 lakh crore have been included. This is a very big thing because we need new lines, doubling and tripling and quadrupling tracks at many places," he said.


The Railways is targeting revenue of '3.02 lakh crore in 2025-26, with a 4% year-on-year rise in earnings from freight operations to '1.88 lakh crore. Receipts from passengers are expected to jump 14% to '92,800 crore.