High-Speed Rail Push in Budget: Need Equal Focus on Common Passengers, Says AIRF Leader Shiv Gopal Mishra

Reacting to the major railway announcements made in the Union Budget, All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) General Secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra described the overall allocation for the rail sector as encouraging, but stressed that the needs of ordinary passengers and railway employees must receive equal attention alongside high-speed projects.

The Finance Minister has proposed the development of seven new high-speed rail corridors across the country. The planned routes include Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi, and Varanasi–Siliguri. These corridors aim to significantly improve fast and modern rail connectivity between major urban centres.

Mishra welcomed the initiative, stating that high-speed rail networks will enhance intercity travel and modernize India’s transport infrastructure. He noted that faster services would benefit passengers seeking premium travel options and would mark a technological advancement for Indian Railways.

However, he underlined that Indian Railways remains the backbone of mobility for the country’s middle- and lower-income population. According to him, the primary expectation of the common traveler is simple — access to a confirmed ticket, safe travel, and reliable train services. He suggested that as freight traffic shifts to Dedicated Freight Corridors, the resulting capacity on existing tracks should be utilized to introduce more passenger trains.

He also pointed out that many double-line railway sections are heavily congested and called for faster execution of third and fourth line expansion projects. Increasing the availability of rolling stock and coaches, he said, would directly improve travel convenience for the masses.

On financial allocation, Mishra said the rail sector has received an outlay of around ₹2.93 lakh crore this year, compared to approximately ₹2.55 lakh crore in the previous budget — an increase of nearly ₹40,000 crore. He observed that considering large-scale projects such as the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, train set expansion, and infrastructure upgrades, the allocation appears sufficient if implemented effectively.

He further emphasized maximizing the capacity of railway production units and boosting indigenous manufacturing, which he believes will help control costs while improving service quality.

Speaking about railway employees, Mishra expressed hope that the higher budget allocation would also translate into welfare improvements. He highlighted long-pending concerns related to staff housing, railway colonies, medical facilities, and educational support for employees’ children, urging the Rail Ministry to address them proactively.

Summing up, Mishra said consistent increases in railway investment over the years have strengthened infrastructure and contributed to economic growth. He described the current budget as a strong step forward, but reiterated that progress in high-speed rail must go hand in hand with improvements in passenger services and employee welfare.

The All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) is one of India’s largest trade unions representing railway employees across all zones and departments. It plays a vital role in advocating for workers’ rights, better working conditions, fair wages, and social security benefits for railway staff. Shiv Gopal Mishra, the National General Secretary of AIRF, is a prominent voice in the labour movement within Indian Railways. Known for his balanced approach, he consistently highlights both employee welfare and broader rail sector issues. Mishra engages with government authorities to ensure that policies benefit not only infrastructure growth but also the well-being of everyday railway workers.