Budget 2020: Railways left high and dry with very little investment push

Gross budgetary support shows funds will rise by just Rs 2,163 cr in FY21 despite emphasis on infra

The NDA government’s focus on the railways seems to be weaning away with no real push to the national transporter. 

While the railway efficiency parameter, reflected in the operating ratio of 97.46 per cent, continues to be a worry, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s second Budget gives no boost to investment in the railways.

The gross budgetary support indicates the government investment will increase by just Rs 2,163 crore or 3 per cent to Rs 70,000 crore in 2020-21. This is despite the purported emphasis on infrastructure creation after announcement of the National Infrastructure Pipeline.

The capital expenditure of the railways, at Rs 1,61,042