Budget 2018: Hopes for Railways pinned on growth in other earnings

The Railways has avoided any change in fares affecting the 750 billion unreserved second class and suburban commuter passenger km and also the 280 billion second class reserved passenger km

The Railways appear to be poised to reach its targeted revenues and the working expenses are almost within their expected limits during the year 2017-18. The operating ratio of 96 per cent in 2017-18 too was as expected.

After struggling to reach the target of more than Rs 1.8 trillion in revenues for the last few years the Railway budget for 2018-19 has somewhat adventurously projected an operating ratio of 93 per cent and a lofty revenue target of Rs 2 trillion.

The passenger kms and freight tonne km throughput of the two core breadwinner businesses of rail infrastructure, which are expected