India’s railways may be on track to boost freight earnings, but sustaining long-term financial health will require passengers to shoulder a greater share of the burden through fare rationalisation, sector experts and policymakers say.
Rail freight has emerged as a bright spot, with steady growth driven by bulk commodities, containerised cargo and policy incentives to shift freight from roads to rail. Higher freight volumes and improved logistics efficiency are expected to lift revenue in the coming years, supporting investments in dedicated freight corridors, modern wagons and network capacity expansion.
However, officials acknowledge that freight alone cannot bridge the widening gap between operating costs and overall revenues. Passenger services continue to be heavily subsidised, with fares largely unchanged despite rising fuel prices, wage bills and maintenance expenses. This imbalance has led to cross-subsidisation, where freight tariffs are kept higher to offset passenger losses—an approach that risks eroding rail’s competitiveness against road transport.
Industry analysts argue that a calibrated increase in passenger fares, particularly in premium and long-distance segments, is unavoidable. They suggest that fare reforms be accompanied by service improvements, better punctuality and enhanced onboard amenities to ensure public acceptance.
“The railways cannot rely indefinitely on freight to subsidise passenger travel,” a senior official said. “If we want a financially sustainable system capable of modernisation, passengers will have to pay closer to the true cost of travel.”
As the government pushes for a more market-oriented rail system, the debate is shifting from whether fares should rise to how and when adjustments should be implemented. With freight growth offering breathing space, policymakers may now have the window needed to initiate long-delayed passenger fare reforms—balancing affordability with financial viability.
