Indian Railways has achieved significant progress in budget utilization, spending ₹2,03,138 crore or 80.54% of its total gross budgetary support (GBS) of ₹2,52,200 crore by the end of December 2025. The ministry announced this development on Monday, highlighting a 6.54% increase in GBS utilization compared to the same period last year.

Strategic Fund Allocation Across Key Areas

The railway ministry has prioritized expenditure across critical infrastructure development areas. Safety-related works received the highest attention with 84% of allocated funds being utilized, demonstrating the organization's commitment to secure rail operations.

Infrastructure Modernization Achievements

The consistent capital expenditure over the last decade has yielded substantial results in railway modernization. The ministry outlined several major accomplishments that have transformed the Indian railway network:

• 164 Vande Bharat train services launched across the network
• 30 Amrit Bharat train services introduced for enhanced connectivity
• Kavach automatic train protection system implementation for improved safety
• Over 99% electrification of the broad-gauge network completed
• Extensive infrastructure works including new lines, gauge conversion, and track doubling

Capacity Enhancement and Passenger Experience

Out of the ₹1,09,238 crore allocated for capacity augmentation, the railways has spent ₹76,048 crore, achieving a 69% utilization rate. Customer amenities have seen significant investment with ₹9,575 crore expenditure by December 2025, representing 80% utilization of allocated funds.

The ministry emphasized that these initiatives have significantly improved speed, safety, and passenger comfort while maintaining affordable rail travel. The upcoming inauguration of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train is expected to further transform long-distance rail travel.

Future Outlook and Target Achievement

According to the ministry, the current expenditure trends indicate that the GBS expenditure plan remains on track with infrastructural works being executed expeditiously. Officials expressed confidence that the targets for FY 2025-26 are likely to be fully achieved, reflecting the railway's commitment to transforming into a future-ready organization aligned with the vision of a modern and connected nation.

Indian Railways has announced a significant digital transformation initiative, making RailOne the sole authorized application for unreserved ticket booking from March 1, 2026. The UTS Mobile App will be discontinued on this date, marking a strategic shift towards a unified digital platform for railway services. This consolidation aims to enhance digital adoption and streamline the ticket booking process for millions of passengers across the country.

Incentives and Implementation Timeline

To promote widespread adoption of the new platform, Railways will introduce attractive incentives for users. Starting January 14, passengers booking tickets through the RailOne app will receive a 3% discount on their purchases. This promotional strategy demonstrates the railway administration's commitment to ensuring a smooth transition from the existing UTS platform.

The phasing out process has already begun with the elimination of the 'season ticket' option from the UTS app, indicating a systematic approach to the transition.

Comprehensive Service Integration

According to CPRO Shashikant Tripathi, the RailOne app will provide comprehensive railway facilities, encompassing both unreserved and reserved ticket booking services. This all-in-one approach represents a significant upgrade from the previous system, offering passengers a unified platform for all their railway-related needs.

The application includes several key features designed to enhance the passenger experience:

• Unreserved ticket booking
• Live train tracking capabilities
• E-catering services
• Grievance redressal system
• Reserved ticket booking functionality

Performance Targets and Regional Progress

The Railway Board has set ambitious targets for digital adoption across different zones. Southern Railway has emerged as a leading performer, achieving 29.5% of unreserved ticket bookings through mobile applications. This performance has positioned Southern Railway among the best-performing zones in terms of digital ticket booking adoption.

The Railway Board has specifically advised Southern Railway to enhance its efforts and reach a target of 40% mobile-based unreserved ticket bookings via the RailOne App by March 1, 2026. This ambitious goal requires focused measures including passenger awareness campaigns and ongoing monitoring to increase platform usage.

Strategic Launch and Vision

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched RailOne in July 2025 during the 40th Foundation Day of Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS). The timing of this launch reflects the strategic importance of digital transformation in the railway sector. The application is currently available for download on both Android Play Store and iOS App Store, ensuring accessibility across different mobile platforms.

A Railway Board statement emphasized the collective progress made by all divisions: "All the Divisions have demonstrated commendable progress in enhancing mobile-based unreserved ticket bookings, with Southern Railway already positioned among the best-performing zones. It is encouraging to note this collective effort, and the Railway Board has urged that the momentum be sustained with renewed focus."

Digital Transformation Impact

This initiative represents a significant step in Indian Railways' digital transformation journey, consolidating multiple services into a single, comprehensive platform. The transition from UTS to RailOne reflects the organization's commitment to modernizing passenger services and improving operational efficiency. The success of this initiative will largely depend on effective implementation of awareness campaigns and the sustained momentum in digital adoption across all railway zones.