Indian Railways Accelerates Towards Modernization and Private Participation
NEWS CHARIOT:-Indian Railways continues to serve as the backbone of India’s economy and connectivity, playing a vital role in transporting both passengers and goods across the nation. With one of the world’s largest rail networks, India operates over 13,000 trains daily, serving millions.
To enhance efficiency and passenger experience, the Ministry of Railways has launched the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, aiming to modernize more than 1,000 railway stations with world-class amenities. Simultaneously, private trains are becoming a part of India’s railway revolution.
In 2021, India introduced its first private train, the Bharat Gaurav Express, under the Bharat Gaurav scheme. Following its success, Tejas Express was launched to offer premium services. The Tejas Express, operated by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) on the Lucknow-Delhi route, has reported promising results. By October, it had earned a profit of ₹70 lakhs and generated revenue of ₹3.7 crores through ticket sales.
Operating six days a week since October 5, the train maintained an average occupancy of 80–85%. IRCTC incurred around ₹3 crores in operating costs and spent ₹14 lakhs daily, while earning ₹17.5 lakhs per day from fares. The service also offers complimentary meals, free travel insurance up to ₹25 lakhs, and compensation for delays, setting a new benchmark in passenger care.
To further promote private participation and accelerate station redevelopment, the government has formed a special task force, though its first meeting is yet to be held.
Meanwhile, IRCTC shares showed a positive trend in the stock market. On Thursday, shares rose by 1.20% to close at ₹769.65 on the BSE, reaching an intraday high of ₹770.75. The company’s current market capitalization stands at ₹61,572 crores. However, the stock remains 33% lower than its 52-week high of ₹1,148.30, recorded in May last year.With strong government backing and increasing private investment, Indian Railways is on track to redefine travel for the next generation.
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