Railway Budget

The Railway Budget historically referred to the annual financial statement of the Indian Railways, detailing its estimated receipts and expenditure for the upcoming financial year. For over nine decades, it was presented separately from the General Budget of the Government of India. The distinct status of the Railway Budget symbolised the size, complexity, and economic importance of the railways as one of the world’s largest public sector enterprises. However, since the financial year 2017–18, the Railway Budget has been merged with the Union Budget, marking a major structural reform in fiscal administration.

Historical Background

The practice of presenting a separate Railway Budget dates back to 1924, following the recommendations of the Acworth Committee (1921), which reviewed railway finances under British rule. The committee observed that the Indian Railways had grown into a vast commercial undertaking whose finances should be separated from general government revenues to ensure greater accountability and efficiency.
Consequently, from 1924–25 onwards, the Railway Budget and the General Budget were presented as distinct documents before Parliament. This system continued post-independence, with the Minister for Railways presenting the Railway Budget a few days before the Union Budget each year.

Objectives and Rationale for a Separate Budget

The key reasons for maintaining a separate Railway Budget were:

• The commercial nature of railway operations and the need to assess them as a business enterprise rather than a purely administrative department.
• The large share of government capital invested in railways, requiring separate scrutiny by Parliament.
• The requirement to ensure transparency and accountability in tariff setting, investment planning, and operational efficiency.
• To provide adequate focus on the development of railway infrastructure—crucial for national integration, trade, and economic growth.

Structure and Components

Traditionally, the Railway Budget consisted of the following major components:

1. Revenue Receipts and Expenditure:
   • Receipts from passenger fares, freight services, parcel services, catering, and other sources.
   • Working expenses, including staff costs, fuel, maintenance, and operations.
2. Capital Outlay:
   • Investments in new lines, electrification, rolling stock, station modernisation, and safety upgrades.
3. Appropriation Accounts:
   • Estimates of funds voted by Parliament under various heads such as policy formulation, construction, repairs, and depreciation.
4. Operating Ratio:
   • A key indicator representing the ratio of working expenses to gross traffic receipts. A lower operating ratio signified better efficiency.
5. Plan Outlay:
   • Annual investment plans aligned with the Five-Year Plans and later with the Vision Documents of the Indian Railways.

Merger with the Union Budget

In 2016, the Government of India decided to merge the Railway Budget with the General Budget, effective from the financial year 2017–18. The decision was based on recommendations from the Bibek Debroy Committee on Railway Restructuring and aimed at improving financial management and policy coordination.
Rationale for the Merger:

• The separation had become largely formal as the railway finances were already dependent on general government support through budgetary allocations.
• The integration would facilitate holistic transport planning, aligning railways with road, port, and air connectivity initiatives.
• It would end the practice of annual dividend payment by the Railways to the general exchequer for capital-at-charge, saving substantial revenue.
• It would reduce political populism associated with railway budgets, such as announcement of new trains and concessions driven by regional considerations rather than economic logic.

Post-Merger Financial Arrangements

After the merger, the financials of the Indian Railways are presented as part of the Union Budget, under the Ministry of Railways. The following adjustments were made:

• No separate presentation of the Railway Budget; instead, railway allocations and performance are covered in the Expenditure Profile and Demand for Grants sections.
• Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) is provided to fund capital works and infrastructure development.
• The Railway Safety Fund and Railway Infrastructure Development Fund are maintained for specific projects.
• Operating ratio and other financial performance indicators continue to be published by the Ministry of Railways in the annual Pink Book and performance reports.
• The Railway no longer pays annual dividend to the government, though it continues to maintain a capital-at-charge account.

Major Policy Reforms and Trends

Following the merger, several policy initiatives have been introduced to enhance the financial and operational sustainability of the Indian Railways:

1. Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs): Encouragement of private investment in freight corridors, station redevelopment, and rolling stock.
2. Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs): Development of Eastern and Western DFCs to increase freight capacity and improve logistics efficiency.
3. Asset Monetisation: Leasing of land, stations, and rail assets to raise non-fare revenue.
4. Focus on Safety and Modernisation: Implementation of Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh for safety works, electrification of routes, and introduction of modern train sets such as Vande Bharat Express.
5. Digitisation and Innovation: Integration of digital ticketing, freight management systems, and predictive maintenance using data analytics.
6. Financial Restructuring: Enhanced borrowing through institutional sources such as the Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) and multilateral agencies.

Significance of the Railway Budget in Economic Planning

Although merged, the Railway Budget continues to hold analytical and symbolic significance due to the sector’s critical role in the economy:

• The Indian Railways is one of the largest employers in the world and a major user of energy, materials, and technology.
• It contributes significantly to GDP through freight, passenger services, and industrial linkages.
• Railway investments have a multiplier effect, stimulating regional development, employment, and trade.
• The Railways also plays a crucial role in environmentally sustainable transport, with electrification and modal shift strategies reducing carbon emissions.

Challenges and the Way Forward

Despite reforms, the Indian Railways faces several enduring challenges:

1. High Operating Ratio: Persistent inefficiency due to wage costs, fuel expenses, and subsidised passenger fares.
2. Infrastructure Bottlenecks: Capacity constraints in busy corridors and delayed project execution.
3. Revenue Imbalance: Heavy reliance on freight cross-subsidisation to offset losses from passenger services.
4. Maintenance and Safety Issues: Ageing tracks and rolling stock requiring modernisation.
5. Competition: Growing competition from road and air transport for both freight and passengers.