In a move to prioritize the safety of passengers, Indian railways in the last five months has made approximately 54 per cent more fund utilisation compared to last year’s corresponding period.
According to the railways ministry, besides safety, it has also made considerable fund utilisation in various infrastructure projects, such as new lines, doubling, gauge conversion and enhancing passenger amenities, between April 1 and August 31.
“Indian Railways has witnessed approximately 48 per cent capital expenditure utilisation (highest ever) in the first five months of this financial year till August 2023,” according to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Railway.
“Safety of the passengers is paramount in Railways. A significant sum has been invested in enhancing safety-related works. The capex utilisation is approximately 54 per cent in comparison to the last year’s corresponding period,” the statement added.
During this period, the national transporter has earned a revenue of Rs 1 lakh crore, including revenue from the freight segment, passenger segment and other sundry revenue.
“In terms of freight loading, Indian Railways has achieved 634.66 MT during April 1, 2023 to August 31, 2023, compared to 620.88 MT over the corresponding period of last year,” the ministry said.
“The loading of fertiliser in the same period is 24.13 MT over 22.25 MT achieved in the corresponding period of last year, which shows growth of 8.45 per cent,” the statement said.
“In the same period, cement loading is 63.29 MT over 59.44 MT achieved in the corresponding period of last year, which shows growth of 6.48 per cent,” it added.
According to the ministry, the container services loading in the same period was 34.31 MT compared to the 32.6 MT achieved last year, showing a growth of 5.22 per cent.
Petroleum, oil and lubricant (POL) loading was at 20.59 MT compared to the 19.91 MT achieved in the corresponding period of last year, recording a growth of 3.41 per cent.
“The loading of coal during the same period is 311.53 MT over 305.39 MT achieved in the corresponding period of last year,” the ministry said, adding, “In addition to above, automobile transportation by rail has shown a growth of 26 per cent, whereas earnings from automobile have shown a jump of 24.5 per cent.”