Indian Railways: World's Cheapest Fares, Heavily Subsidized

• Indian Railways offers the cheapest services globally, as stated by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
• Fares in India are significantly lower than in developed nations and neighboring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China.
• The government provides an annual subsidy of approximately ₹60,000 crore to keep passenger fares affordable.
• Indian Railways cover only 54% of passenger travel costs, with the remaining subsidized by the government.
• A 2012 World Bank report noted Indian Railways charged 1 cent/km, significantly below the global average of 9.4 cents/km.

Why It Matters: Indian Railways offers the world's cheapest train travel due to significant government subsidies.