India continues to offer the most affordable railway travel in the world, according to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Speaking during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, the minister highlighted that train fares in India remain significantly lower than those in both neighbouring and developed countries.
Responding to a query from Congress MP M.K. Vishnu Prasad about the restoration of pre-Covid senior citizen concessions, Vaishnaw explained that ticket prices in India amount to just five to ten percent of what passengers typically pay in developed nations. He added that, even when compared with neighbouring countries, India maintains a “very, very affordable” fare structure.
To keep passenger travel cost-effective, the Indian Railways extended a subsidy of nearly ₹60,000 crore last year. This financial support, the minister said, ensures that millions of citizens continue to benefit from low-cost transportation.
Vaishnaw reiterated that India currently provides the most affordable passenger rail services in the region, reflecting the government’s ongoing commitment to accessible and economical travel for all.