Statsguru: How Indian Railways is coming out of Covid-related disruption

The Indian Railways, which is slowly coming out of the Covid-related disruption, was a key area of focus in the recently presented Union Budget. The money earned from carrying passengers is expected to surpass the pre-Covid level this year. The passenger reven­ue in 2018-19 was Rs 51,067 crore. 
 

It remained below this level for the next three years. The current year is expected to see Rs 64,000 crore in passenger revenue (chart 1).


 

Freight earnings contribute significantly more to railway finances. Receipts from freight were Rs 1.3 trillion in 2018-19. They touched Rs 1.4 trillion in 2021-22, and