Rail Budget 2026: Indian Railways is not just a means of travel but is considered the backbone of the country’s economy. The budget of Indian Railways, which provides employment to crores of people, has always been in discussion. Today, when there is talk of Railway Budget 2026, let us know when, by whom and under what circumstances India’s first Railway Budget was presented.
When did the railway budget start?
Very few people know that the railway budget in India was started not after independence, but during the British rule. Earlier the railway budget used to be a part of the general budget. But after the recommendations of the Acworth Committee formed in 1920-21, it was decided to give a separate budget to the Railways. After this, a separate railway budget was presented for the first time in the year 1924.
Who presented the first separate railway budget
India’s first separate railway budget was presented by British officer Sir Charles Innis in the year 1924. At that time the Railways was under the British Government and the objective of the budget was to collect maximum revenue from the Railways. At that time, railways were expanding rapidly, but less attention was paid to the facilities of common passengers.
First railway budget of independent India
The tradition of railway budget continued even after India gained independence. The first railway budget of independent India was presented on 20 November 1947. It was tabled in Parliament by the country’s first Railway Minister John Mathai. At that time, the total budget of Railways was only Rs 126.69 crore, which seems very low compared to today.
Big challenge for Railways after partition
The Railway Budget of 1947 came in very challenging circumstances. The railway network was badly affected after the partition of the country. The responsibility of bringing millions of refugees from Pakistan to India was on the Railways. A large part of this budget was spent on repairing railway lines, arranging coaches and safe transportation of refugees.
These important schemes started for the first time
A glimpse of self-reliant India was also seen in John Mathai’s railway budget. In this budget, a plan was made to lay the foundation of Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, so that India can make its own engines. Also, emphasis was laid on improvement in third class coaches, arrangement of fans and basic facilities for passengers.
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After being presented separately for almost 92 years, the Railway Budget was merged into the General Budget in the year 2017. But the story of India’s first railway budget still tells how the Railways played a big role in handling the country during difficult times.
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