New Delhi, April 3, 2026:
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday said Indian Railways is making every possible effort to provide better travel experience and comfortable mobility for poor and middle-class passengers, while calling on officials nationwide to align infrastructure spending with passenger-centric outcomes.
Chairing a nationwide review meeting from Rail Bhavan, New Delhi, the minister congratulated the “rail family” for delivering a year marked by a historic decline in railway accidents, record freight loading, and efficient operation of special trains during festive rush periods. He also praised railway zones that improved punctuality and ensured over 85% on-time performance despite operational challenges.
Vaishnaw stressed that railway stations are the public face of Indian Railways and directed officials to intensify efforts to keep stations clean, modern, and commuter-friendly. He said the record budgetary allocation for railway modernisation over the past decade places a responsibility on officials to ensure funds are used effectively for passenger amenities and visible station transformation.
The minister also emphasised crowd management during festivals and peak travel periods, directing officials to use allocated resources to ensure passengers can reach platforms smoothly and board trains without inconvenience.
A major focus of the meeting was on pending land acquisition and encroachment issues linked to railway projects, especially in urban areas. Calling it a sensitive issue tied to people’s livelihoods, Vaishnaw instructed officials to adopt a humane and time-bound approach, including taking assistance from experienced retired revenue and forest officials where required to speed up clearances and dispute resolution.
In a significant policy push for safer and more accessible movement, the minister said underground rail subways and underpasses should be prioritised over traditional foot overbridges, both within station premises and across tracks outside station areas. The idea, he said, is to make track crossing more convenient, inclusive, and seamless for passengers.
