NE BUSINESS BUREAU
NEW DELHI, APR 3
In a comprehensive nationwide review, Ashwini Vaishnaw reiterated that ensuring a comfortable and improved travel experience for the poor and middle class remains the top priority of Indian Railways.
11/ Jammu & Kashmir All-Weather Connectivity
🌉 Featuring iconic Chenab Bridge & Anji Bridge pic.twitter.com/cSanc2hE3s— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) April 3, 2026
Chairing a high-level meeting at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi, the Union Minister called for collective accountability and a sharper passenger-centric execution across the रेलवे ecosystem.
- Affordable, comfortable travel for poor & middle class remains core priority
- Minister applauds historic fall in accidents, record freight loading & festival train ops
- Stations must reflect Railways’ image with top-tier cleanliness & amenities
- Humane, balanced approach mandated for railway land & livelihood concerns
- Accessible underpasses to replace FoBs as preferred crossing solution
- Focus sharpened on punctuality, crowd control & efficient fund utilisation
“Providing a good travel experience to the poor and middle class remains the top priority of Indian Railways.”
Performance Highs Reinforce Railways’ Image
The Minister lauded the Railway workforce for a standout operational year, highlighting:
- Historic reduction in rail accidents
- Record freight loading achievements
- Efficient handling of festival rush through special trains
“The historic reduction in rail accidents and record freight loading have significantly improved the image of Indian Railways.”
He noted that timely deployment of special trains ensured smoother travel during peak demand periods.
Stations: The Public Face of Railways
Emphasising passenger experience, Vaishnaw underlined that railway stations represent the face of Indian Railways and must be clean, modern, and commuter-friendly.
“Railway stations are the face of Indian Railways… officials must ensure cleanliness with dedicated efforts.”
With record investments in modernization, officials were directed to ensure optimal utilisation of funds to upgrade infrastructure and passenger amenities.
Human Touch in Land & Livelihood Matters
On the sensitive issue of habitation near railway tracks, the Minister stressed a balanced and compassionate approach.
“Ensure livelihoods are not affected… resolve railway land encroachment with a humane approach.”
He urged coordination with state governments to address challenges, particularly in urban clusters, with timely and humane solutions.
Underpasses Get Priority Push
In a key infrastructure directive, Vaishnaw instructed that convenient and accessible underpasses (puliyas) be prioritised over foot overbridges (FoBs) wherever feasible.
“Give priority to convenient and accessible puliyas (underpasses) over foot overbridges.”
Pilot projects will be rolled out nationwide, designed to support:
- Pedestrians and cyclists
- Two-wheelers and small vehicles
- Rural and urban mobility needs alike
Punctuality, Crowd Flow & Future Efficiency
The review also focused on:
- Crowd management during festivals and peak hours
- Smooth access to platforms and hassle-free boarding
- Maintaining and improving punctuality benchmarks (85%+ performance)
Zones demonstrating high punctuality despite operational challenges were specially commended.
The Road Ahead
Reaffirming the long-term vision, the Minister emphasised that sustained efforts, efficient planning, and a passenger-first mindset will continue to drive safety, service quality, and overall travel experience across the country.
“With sustained efforts… Indian Railways will continue to enhance safety, service quality and overall travel experience.”
