New Delhi: The Railway Ministry should expedite the modernisation of 1,337 stations identified under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, ensuring completion within a set time frame through regular monitoring, the Standing Committee on Railways said in its second report presented to the Lok Sabha on Monday.
In the Second Report on Action Taken by Government on the observations and recommendations of the Committee contained in their First Report (Eighteenth Lok Sabha) on ‘Demands for Grants (2024-25) of the Ministry of Railways’, the Standing Committee observed that the Ministry has taken several initiatives to maximise its earnings such as the introduction of premium trains like Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat, rationalization of flexi-fare schemes, and expansion of freight and non-fare revenue among others.
The First Report of the Committee, presented to the Lok Sabha and laid in the Rajya Sabha on December 13, 2024, contained 14 Observations/Recommendations. The Ministry furnished its Action Taken Notes on all the Observations/Recommendations contained in the Report on February 11, 2025, the report said.
Observing Railways’ response on its negligible net revenue, the report said that the Indian Railways should adopt a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy to enhance net revenue while ensuring affordability for low-income passengers.
“This includes implementing dynamic pricing models for AC classes and premium trains, regularly reviewing flexi-fare schemes based on demand, and expanding non-fare revenue through initiatives like e-Auction policies, advertising, and commercial utilisation of railway assets,” the report said.
“The Committee also feel that in order to balance social obligations, Indian Railways should continue targeted subsidies for suburban and non-AC travel. However, operational efficiency must be improved through accelerated electrification and energy efficient technologies,” it added.
Regarding encouraging the investment in developing rail connectivity by associating strategic partners and other investors, the report said, “The Committee feel that Railways need to be more ambitious with regard to private sector participation in Railway Infrastructure and set higher PPP targets to reduce their dependence on Government for budgetary support.”
In its first report in December 2024, the Committee had asked the Ministry to look for private sector participation for Station redevelopment and the Ministry in its response said that it has explored all the options of PPP mode.