2,400 km New Lines, Doubling, GC, 6,000 km Electrification: Indian Railways Target for 2021-22

Indian Railways (IR) has been set a target of 2,400 km for constructing new lines, doubling and gauge conversion projects for the fiscal FY22 according to the Railway Board.

Addressing the media post the Union Budget on Monday, the Railway Board Financial Commissioner (FC) explained that this includes 300 km of new lines, 1,600 km of doubling single line sections and gauge conversion of 500 km totalling 2,400 km. In addition, electrification of 6,000 km of lines is also to be completed in FY22.

The following plan heads have been allotted highest ever outlays in budget estimates (BE) FY22  –

(₹in cr)

Planhead	BE 2020-21	BE 2021-22	Increase over BE 2020-21
New Lines	26971	40932	52%
Doubling	21545	26116	21%
Traffic Facilities	2058	5263	156%
ROB/RUBs	6204	7122	15%

On rolling stock, the FC observed that targets have been set to produce 905 electric locomotives, 6600 coaches and 12000 wagons adding that capex in IR had risen four times since FY15.

Investment in national projects

IR’s national Projects of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and North Eastern region have been allocated Rs 12,985 cr. in BE FY22 as against the revised estimates (RE) of Rs 7535 crore in FY21 an increase of 72 per cent.

A sum of Rs.37,270 crore has been set aside from GBS for investment in PSU/JV/SPVs, with allocation for DFCCIL of  Rs. 16,086 cr, NHSRCL of Rs. 14,000 cr and KMRCL of Rs. 900 cr.

Source	BE2020-21 in Rs crore	BE 2021-22 in Rs crore
Gross Budgetary Support	70250	107300
Internal Resources	7500	7500
Extra Budgetary Resources	83292	100258
Total Capex	161042	215058

The thrust of the budget is on developing infrastructure so as to run more train services. This is being done through d

1. development of terminal facilities,
2. undertaking works to increase train speeds,
3. installing better signalling systems,
4. improving safety by constructing road-over-bridges/subways and
5. providing better facilities for customers

Projects have been identified under Vision-2024 which is the first phase of implementation of the National Rail Plan 2030.

Budget Estimates FY22

The Budget has estimated a total revenue generation of Rs 2,17,460 crore. Of this, freight earnings have been assayed at Rs 1,37,810 crore while passenger earnings have been pegged at Rs 61,000 crore ( same as last year’s BE).

Freight loading numbers have been projected at 1,270 MT (1,208 MT actual loading in FY20)

Other coaching earnings estimated at Rs 6,200 crore and sundry earnings at Rs 12,000 crore, traffic suspense at Rs 100 crore and miscellaneous receipts at Rs 350 crore complete the earnings estimates.   

Ordinary Working Expenses (OWE)

For FY22, OWE has been budgeted at Rs 1,54,399 crore, 2.78 per cent over FY20 actuals.

The increase is on account of an increase in dearness allowance for employees which had been frozen earflier. Increase in cost of fuel, stores besides an increase in miscellaneous expenses has also been budgeted for.

For FY22, salary and allowances have been estimated at Rs 92,839 crore pensions at Rs 53,000 crore and fuel costs at Rs 23,739 crore.

Finally, the operating ratio for FY22 is likely to  be 96.15 per cent as against the operating ratio of 96.96 per cent for FY 21 (RE) [Operating Ratio is the ratio of total earnings to expenses].