Rail Passenger Traffic, Freight Earnings Increased In FY 2023-24: Economic Survey

New Delhi: Taking note of the positive strides that happened in the Railways sector, the Economic Survey which was tabled in Parliament on Monday said that about 673 crore passengers took train journeys in 2023-24, which is about 5.2 per cent more than the previous financial year.

The revenue-earning freight in FY24, excluding the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited, also witnessed an increase of 5.3 per cent from the previous year, the survey showed.

Freight Revenue Earnings Increased 

"Passenger traffic originating in IR (Indian Railways) was 673 crore in FY24 (provisional actuals), increasing by about 5.2 per cent compared to the previous year," the survey said while adding that railways carried 158.8 crore tonnes of revenue-earning freight in FY24.

"To upgrade the passenger experience, railways have introduced Wi-Fi facilities at 6,108 stations, bridging the digital divide between rural and urban citizens," the survey said.

It added, "Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation's (IRCTC) online ticketing system has emerged as one of the largest e-commerce websites in the country and Asia Pacific, and it is easily accessible through the website, mobile app, and IRCTC authorised agents." Talking about Indian Railways freight services, the survey said The Freight Operations Information System comprehensively manages all facets of freight operations, encompassing booking, electronic demand registration, transfer of railway receipts, and consignment tracking.

"The Rail Sugam App and Freight Business Development Portal have also been created to enhance customer convenience," the survey said.

Indian Railways was allotted a total of Rs 2.52 lakh crore outlay for the financial year 2024-25 in February's Interim Budget. Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called it an unprecedented budget allocation has been made towards the railway sector. 

Union Budget is set to be presented by the Government in Parliament on July 23. The Budget Session of Parliament which commenced on Monday (July 22) is likely to conclude on August 12.