New Delhi : The Lok Sabha on Monday turned into a battlefield of priorities as the government defended its massive infrastructure spending against an Opposition that claims basic passenger comfort is being derailed. While the Treasury benches pointed to the unprecedented ₹2,62,200 crore capital outlay for 2024-25 as a “golden age” for the network, Opposition MPs used recent audit data to highlight a starker reality in general coaches.
Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil led the charge, urging the Ministry of Railways to pivot from “showpiece” projects to the fundamental issues plaguing daily commuters. He specifically demanded the restoration of passenger trains that remain suspended since the pandemic, arguing that the focus on premium services is alienating the common man.
The Sanitation Crisis and CAG Findings
The debate took a critical turn when Congress MP Adoor Prakash cited recent findings from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The auditor revealed a staggering 1,00,280 complaints regarding the non-availability of water in toilets and washbasins during the 2022-23 fiscal year.
According to the CAG, the time taken to address over 33% of these complaints exceeded official timelines. This data underscored the Opposition’s argument that while the “Vande Bharat” era is being celebrated, the most basic hygiene needs of the average passenger remain unmet.
The High-Tech Safety Push
Responding to the criticism, NDA members including Vishnu Dayal Ram and Shobhanaben Baraiya emphasized that current investments are not just for aesthetics but for safety and speed. A significant portion of the current budget is earmarked for the indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, Kavach.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently updated the House that Kavach 4.0 is in an “advanced stage” on the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes. The system, designed to prevent collisions, is being integrated across nearly 3,000 route kilometers, supported by over 8,500 kilometers of new optical fiber cables.
Regional Grievances and Funding Gaps
The discussion also saw regional friction, with Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav claiming that Uttar Pradesh—outside of the Prime Minister’s Varanasi constituency—has seen a decrease in developmental focus. Similarly, MPs from Tamil Nadu and the Northeast voiced concerns over “unfair” fund distribution, despite the Ministry’s claim of laying tracks at a record pace of 14.54 kilometers per day.
Railway Financials: 2024-25 Budgetary Overview
| Category | Key Figure / Fact | Current Status / Concern |
| Total Investment | ₹2.62 Lakh Crore | Record high capital expenditure (Capex) for infrastructure. |
| Safety (Kavach) | 3,000+ Kilometers | Kavach 4.0 currently being installed on high-density routes. |
| Water Supply | 1,00,000+ Complaints | CAG report highlights a massive shortage on long-distance trains. |
| Expansion Rate | 14.5 km per day | Current pace of laying new tracks across the country. |
| Passenger Amenities | ₹15,315 Crore | Funding dedicated to station lifts, escalators, and basic toilets. |
