Railways earnings speed up on coal freight, AC3 travel

NEW DELHI: The steep rise in revenue from movement of coal for thermal power plants and transportation of passengers in AC three-tier coaches during the current financial year have significantly boosted the earnings of Indian Railways.

While the revenue from movement of coal for power plants is projected to increase by nearly 91% to touch Rs 66,287 crore by March end, the earnings from passengers travelling in AC3 coaches is expected to touch Rs 19,309 crore, a 49% rise over what the government had estimated at the beginning of the current financial year.

The railways has projected the revenue from passenger segment increasing to Rs 64,000 crore during 2022-23 compared to Rs 58,500 crore in the Budget estimate (BE). Considering the positive trend in passenger movement, the national transporter has projected the revenue from passenger segment to increase to Rs 70,000 crore in 2023-24.