March 17, 2025
Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Banerjee’s speech on the Demands for Grants under the control of the Ministry of Railways for 2025-26
Thank you, Chairperson Sir. First of all, I see that there is a declining budgetary allocation, which is a red flag for growth. The overall Railway budget has seen a decline from Rs.2.92 lakh crore in 2023-24 to Rs.2.65 lakh crore in 2025-26, a drop of over nine per cent. Moreover, the financial year 2025 Budget allocation remains stagnant failing to address rising inflation, increased operational costs, and the urgent need for network expansion. A reduced budget not only slows down the implementation of crucial projects but also impacts service quality and safety. Passenger amenities are on a downward spiral. The allocation for customer amenities, which include maintaining station infrastructure, toilets, ticketing services, and other passenger-centric improvements, has continued to decline from Rs.15,510 crore in FY 2024-25 to 12,118.39 crore in FY 2025-26. This signals a clear neglect of passenger welfare in a sector that caters to millions daily. Inadequate passenger facilities have long been a pain point, and this budget does little to address the gaps. There is a freight corridor Investment cut, which is a blow to the Railways’ future. The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India, a critical PSU responsible for enhancing the efficiency of freight movement, has suffered a drastic budget cut, from Rs.5,499 crore in FY 2024-25 to just Rs.500 crore in FY 2025-26. This 90 per cent reduction severely impacts India’s vision of shifting freight transport from roads to rail, which is crucial for reducing carbon emissions and logistics costs. The Government’s claim of boosting freight efficiency thus rings hollow. The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor in West Bengal has stuck in limbo despite land handover. The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor stretch in West Bengal continues to be a non-starter in spite of land acquisition having been done by the State Government and Government land settled with the Railways. The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) is one of the largest infrastructure projects from Ludhiana in Punjab to Dankuni in West Bengal that stretches about 1839 kms. The first two segments of the EDFC have already been completed and commissioned. The work in the third segment from Sonnagar in Bihar to Dankuni in West Bengal is yet to be commenced and has been pending more than 12 years. This is in spite of substantial land acquisition having been completed and the Government land also settled with the Railways. There is a weak financial health, which is a systemic issue. The Indian Railways’ average revenue expenditure over the last decade has consistently stood at 99 per cent of its revenue income, leaving it with a meagre one per cent surplus to fund capital expenditures internally. The revenue surplus has fallen sharply from Rs.4,913 crore in 2006-17 to Rs.3,260 crore in 2023-24. There is employee-and-labour unrest and growing discontent. There is mounting dissatisfaction among railway employees and labour organizations regarding the 2025-26 budget. The National Federation of Indian Railwaymen has termed it disappointing, citing concerns about privatization, lack of new recruitment, and neglect of workers’ welfare. This Budget fails to provide clarity on Dearness Allowance hikes or permanent employees’ opportunities exacerbating job insecurity in an already sulking workforce. Sir, as per the Budget Estimates, the net earnings/revenues target was Rs. 2,800 crore and the achievement was Rs. 1,341.31 crore. As regards the number of manned LCs removed during the financial year 2024-25, the target was 1,100 and the achievement was 389. In 2024-25, for the total length of line doubling, the target was 2,900 kilometres but the achievement was 1,134 kilometres. As regards the number of stations upgraded, the target was 453 but the achievement was one. As regards the number of ROBs/RUBs constructed during the financial year 2024-25, the target was 1,100 and the achievement was 669. With regard to the closure of manned level crossings, the target was 1,100 and the achievement was 497. Out of 187 new lines project, the target was 20,199 kilometres but the achievement was 2,855 kilometres. As regards doubling of multitracking of 261 projects, the target was 19,570 kilometres and the achievement was 6,218 kilometres. With regard to the safety works related to Level Crossings (LCs), the target was Rs. 710 crore and the achievement was Rs. 476 crore. To develop stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, the target was 453 stations and the achievement was one station. With respect to the Revised Estimates for training and Human Resource Development, the target was Rs. 197.52 crore and the achievement was Rs. 130.50 crore. The CAG has raised concerns about the quality, hygiene, affordability, and availability of food to passengers, including the adequacy of catering facilities on stations and trains. The CAG also reported financial losses of Rs. 2,604.40 crore for 2021-22 to the Indian Railways, citing issues like nonrecovery of loans, missed shunting charges, and GST non-compliance. Other flagged areas included unproductive expenditures, and irregular contract awards. From 2020 to 2024, over the last five years, 351 persons died and 970 people were injured in 200 consequential railway accidents, an average of three major accidents per month. In 2024, 29 consequential train accidents occurred alone due to derailments, collisions, fires, and level-crossing errors, resulting in 17 deaths and 81 injuries, including major accidents. Jamtara train accident happened on February 28, 2024. Palgar goods carrier derailment happened on March 29, 2024. Sirhind freight train accident happened on June 2, 2024. Kanchanjunga Express accident happened on June 17, 2024. Chandigarh-Dibrugarh train derailment happened on July 18, 2024. On 22nd January, 2025, 12 train passengers were killed after being struck by another train on an adjacent track after they jumped from their coaches in panic to escape a rumoured fire incident and another six other people were injured in Jalgaon. Sir, 10 women and three children were among 18 people killed in a crowd crush at the New Delhi Railway Station on 15th February, 2025 as thousands of Hindu pilgrims waited to board trains to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela. This is a shame insofar as the country is concerned. Internationally, it has been seen that the Railways has failed and the Railways’ machinery has failed. The Minister of Railways has failed to prevent this incident during Kumbh Mela. No assessment has been done. Nothing has been done. Sir, now, I come to Budget Estimates. In 2010-11, the Budget Estimates were Rs. 41,426 crore. In 2025-26, the Budget Estimates are Rs. 2,65,200 crore. There has been a 6.4-times increase. Now, let us see the fall-out. In 2010-11, the route kilometres of the railways were 64,015 kilometres. It was very less. In 2025-26, it was 69,181 kilometres, which was increased only by 1.08 per cent for long 15 years. As regards the railway employees, in 2010-11, there were 13,28,199 employees, that is, 43.02 per cent of the Central Government employees in the Railways, in 2010-11, when Ms. Mamata Banerjee was the Railway Minister. Now, there are 11,72,240 employees, roughly 28 per cent of the Central Government employees. This means there is a reduction in the employment of over 11.75 per cent. The operating ratio in 2010-11 was 91.1 per cent. In 2025- 26, it is 98.9 per cent. The key financial metrics reflects that the Railways earned more profit in 2010-11 than in 2024-25. The statistics says this. Now, I come to passenger amenities/service. In 2010-11, it was Rs. 1,302 crore. In 2025-26, the allocation to passenger amenities has been reduced to Rs. 12,118 crore from Rs. 15,510 crore in 2024-25. Except big cities, drinking water, toilets, passenger services like sitting arrangements, cleanliness, platform shelters, restrooms, luggage rooms, especially food and beverage options, and particularly safety are undermarked. No focus has been given on improving crowd management to prevent any untoward incidents. To provide clean and fresh water, the Railways owned six plants in 2010- 11. Now, in 2025-26, the Railways owned only four plants. Sixteen are operational plants and 12 plants are in PPP mode. This has decreased. Sir, regarding upgradation of stations as Adarsh stations, 302 stations were declared as Adarsh stations in 2010-11. This was renamed as Amrit Bharat stations scheme. Out of the proposed 1,337 stations, the work started in 1,198 stations, and only six stations were developed in 2024. There is a big talk of big target. It is a big speech but production is only six. What a production! (We have a saying in Bengali which conveys- much ado about nothing.* So what if it is in Bengali? You understood, right? That’s enough. At least Bengalis should understand what is conveyed. All the Railway Minister is doing, it’s all much ado about nothing. That’s what the people of Bengal need to understand.) Mountain has given birth to a rat. As if they are saying, I don’t want to progress. I don’t want to go ahead in life, brother. I will remain static. I will only talk in rhetoric. Now, I come to the multi-functional complexes. A total of 196 stations were identified for development of multi-functional complexes. In 2024, the Indian Railways refocussed on developing multi-functional complexes at various Railway Stations. No action has been taken so far for grant of lease of land for development. An average of 17,000 trains used to run in 2010-11. Now, in 2025-26, when Vande Bharat, Amrut Bharat and many more trains are introduced, an average of 13,198 trains are there. In 2010-11, approximately 17,000 trains were there. Now, we have 13,198 trains. Now, I come to the issue of average carrying capacity of passengers per day. In 2010-11, about 23 million passengers were there. This included 11.99 million nonsuburban passengers with 0.47 million in reserved categories. Now, in 2025-26, after 14 years, they are standing in the same place. They are standing in the place by saying I am here. What happened to the 23 million passengers? This is what the Railway Minister says. I am standing in the same place. I will not proceed. They are all talk and no action. They don’t walk the talk. You were pining all your hopes on Rekhaji- who seems to be quite the favorite of Modiji. But what happened with that? In 2010-11, about 64,015 kilometres tracks were there. In 2025-26, it is 1,20,000 kilometres. But the major problem faced by the Indian Railways is that the tracks are old and outdated. It lacks repair, and maintenance of tracks and bridges is lacking. A safety device system was introduced. Anti-collision detection and train protection warning system was introduced in 2010-11. Now, in July, 2020, the Kavach system was officially adopted by the Indian Railways as the National Automatic Train Protection System. Out of 15,072 locomotives, only 687 locos and only 521 stations out of 7,461 railway stations are having Kavach Safety Protection System as of 2025-26. Regarding security of women passengers, in 2010-2011, Mahila Bahini comprising twelve companies of women RPF personnel was introduced. It was renamed as Meri Saheli in October 2020. There is a reduction of 12 companies from 700 RPF women personnel. आप लोग कहतेहैंकक हम मकहला केकलए लड़तेहैं।हम ऐसा करतेहैं, र्ैसा करतेहैं, लकेकन मकहला के कलए कुछ नहीं करतेहैं, कसफव बातेंकरतेहैं। Why aren’t you letting me speak? Grow a thick skin to listen to the criticism. Otherwise, how will you become a good minister? Please listen to the criticism. Regarding welfare to railway employees, house for all the railway employees in the next ten years with the help of Ministry of Urban Development was announced. In 2025-26, no such action is proposed. The Central Staff Benefit Fund has been raised from Rs 350 to Rs 500 per employee. Sir, I have a lot of things to say. In respect of gauge conversion, 856-kilometre lines were converted during 2011. In 2024, 134-kilometre lines have been converted. Rs. 44 crore was the actual expenditure for railway research in 2010-2011 and in 2025-26, Rs.27.17 crore is the actual expenditure for railway research till January, 2025 against the allocation of Rs. 72.01 crore. I am sorry, I was informally addressing you due to my habit of doing so during our personal interactions. Do not mind. Please, excuse me. I am very sorry for that. Regarding development of Kashmir Rail, in respect of Quazigund-Anantanag section of Quazigund-Baramulla railway line in Kashmir valley, construction of railway line from Udhampur to Katra and Katra to Quazigund was started in 2011 when Ms. Mamata Banerjee was the Railway Minister. The Katra-Reasi section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project is yet to start. This is the situation. The Rail Minister is not here. It has been said that special trains during Kumbh or other melas have been started. In 2011, the Railways operated 130 pairs of additional special trains, which made 36,000 trips. About 21,513 special trains were operated in 2024. Around 600 long distance special trains and around 1,000 short distance trains were operated for Kumbh Mela for 50 days. Sir, I am coming to the recruitment. It is very important. In 2010-11, filling up the vacancies of about 1.75 lakh posts in Group C post, Group D post and about 13,000 posts in Railway Protection Force was done for the first time and induction of 16,000 ex-servicemen was made. Examination for 11,558 vacancies in the NonTechnical Popular Categories including 8,113 graduate-level posts and 3,445 undergraduate-level posts was conducted in 2024. There are 42,000 vacancies in Group D posts and 32,000 vacancies in Group C posts. About 2.74 lakh posts in the Railways are lying vacant as of June 2023, with more than 1.57 lakh of them in the safety category. Regarding special support to BPL and poor families, in 2010-11, Izzat Monthly Season Tickets priced at Rs. 25 were issued to persons working in unorganised sectors with monthly income up to Rs. 1,500. In 2025-26, no such support has been approved by this Government. It even suspended the senior citizens’ concession. Sir, I have to mention another important point. Data suggests that over 20,000 posts of Loco Pilot and Assistant Loco Pilot have been lying vacant for years, leading to longer shift for train drivers and potentially increasing the chances of human error. Sir, in my earlier speeches also I mentioned it. A Shravani Mela is being organised in Sheoraphuli which is in my constituency. Lakhs and lakhs of people of Sheoraphuli take the water from the Ganges and go to Tarakeshwar temple which is 36 kilometers away from that place. The Tarakeshwar temple belongs to Lord Shiva. There is a railway crossing. This is a very busy train line. If there is half-an-hour stoppage at this line, lakhs and lakhs of people will have to suffer. I had requested the same to the hon. Minister earlier. Today, this morning, also, I requested the MoS, but he gives a good smile but never keeps his promise. Sir, this is very much needed. I request the hon. Railway Minister to look into the safety of lakhs and lakhs of people. This is an issue of emotional sentiment of the Hindu people of West Bengal. Kindly, do it for those who are taking the water from the Ganges, and going to Tarakeshwar temple. Second, the Metro Rail has gone up to Howrah. I request you to kindly extend it up to Bandel, so that we can also go. I have made this request many a time. Again, I am requesting with folded hand to the Railway Minister to look into these problems of ours. You are a Minister. You do not go by the party or the religion. I request you to do it for the people of this country. I request you to do something for us. If you do not do, next time, I will win by 2,50,000 votes. You cannot stop me. Thank you, Sir.
