Budget 2023-24: Railways gets record Rs 2.6-trillion capex boost

According to a senior official, Railways' prime borrowing arm, Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC), has zero borrowings for the fiscal under review

Indian Railways is set to see a record capital expenditure (capex) of Rs 2.6 trillion in fiscal year 2023-24 (FY24). This announcement in the Budget on February 1 would give a push to the massive infrastructure expansion lined up and the government’s share would contribute around Rs 2.4 trillion to this — the highest ever.

The Railways is targeting an operating ratio of 98.45 per cent for the fiscal year, compared to a revised ratio of 98.22 per cent in FY23. This means the Railways aims to spend about Rs 98.45 for every Rs 100 it earns in FY24. During