India’s Highway and Railways Milestones in the Recent Financial Year
Highway Construction and Toll Income
India achieved a highway construction of 10,500 km in the financial year that concluded on March 31. The toll revenue generated from these highways surpassed Rs 60,000 crore, marking the highest collection in the highway sector’s history. However, the overall construction was the third-highest in the past five years.
- In 2023-24, highway construction reached 12,349 km
- The total toll collection during that period was approximately Rs 55,000 crore
The decrease in highway construction during the last financial year can be attributed to a slower pace of highway project bidding. It is anticipated that this trend may persist for the next couple of years.
Indian Railways’ Unprecedented Earnings
Indian Railways recorded an all-time high earning of Rs 2.7 lakh crore in the previous financial year, owing to the maximum transport of 1,617 million tonnes (MTs) of freight and 735 crore passengers. Although freight movement increased incrementally, passenger transport witnessed a 6% rise compared to the previous year.
- Revenue from freight movement amounted to Rs 1.75 lakh crore in FY25
- Earnings from passenger fares were around Rs 75,500 crore, compared to Rs 70,693 crore in FY24
The railways attained the maximum ever freight loading by operating 44,408 more goods trains and adding 41,929 more wagons to its fleet last year. Out of the 7,133 coaches manufactured last year, 4,601 were non-AC, and the remaining 2,533 were AC. This demonstrates the government’s dedication to making more trains and coaches accessible for low and middle-class passengers.
