The operating ratio, a key measure of efficiency, was at 91.8 per cent in 2014-15 after touching a high of 93.6 per cent in the previous financial year.
The lower the operating ratio, the better is the profitability of an entity.
To get the most out of additional resources that will be invested, he said the ministry will need to ensure the highest standards of operational and business efficiency.
"I propose the operating ratio for 2015-16 at 88.5 per cent as against a targeted operating ratio of 91.8 per cent in 2014-15 and 93.6 per cent in 2013-14.
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Prabhu added that the railways will not be able to deliver sustained improvement in operating efficiency unless changes are made to speed up decision making, tighten accountability, and improve management information systems.
"For our transformation journey to succeed, it will be very important to harness the talent of our employees through training and development," he said.
Further, he said the total receipts of railways have been revised to Rs 1,63,450.13 crore in 2014-15 and was proposed at Rs 1,88,556.70 crore for 2015-16.