New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) The government on Wednesday said online train ticket bookings have seen a sharp rise, with over 48.25 crore tickets, or 88 per cent of total reserved bookings, made digitally in FY 2025–26 till February.In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, said that the increasing shift towards online booking through IRCTC has made ticketing easier for passengers by reducing the need to visit reservation counters and cutting travel time and …
Latest Ashwini Vaishnaw News & Updates
New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday announced five new reforms under the ‘Reform Express’. With the approval of these new reforms, the total number of reforms for the year 2026 has reached nine.Out of the five new reforms, two are related to cargo, one to construction, and two to passenger convenience.Vaishnaw said India is one of the largest producers and exporters of salt in the world. The three major producing states are Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and …
New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) Indian Railways has revised its rules for the cancellation of confirmed tickets to check misuse of the booking system by touts who indulge in black marketing. The new rules also give more flexibility to passengers for last-minute changes in boarding stations.The revised rules fix refunds for cancellation of tickets on the basis of time left for the departure of the train and also allow for a change in the boarding stations to give more flexibility to passengers.The rev…
New Delhi, March 23 (IANS) The government launched three initiatives including a national AI skilling programme, the ‘MyWAVES’ citizen creator platform and in‑built satellite tuners to boost digital content, AI skilling and public broadcasting, an official statement said on Monday.Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, launched these initiatives to “strengthen India’s media, broadcasting and digital sector and promote the creative economy”.The national AI Skil…
New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) The number of train accidents on Indian Railways has seen a sharp decline over the years, with consequential accidents dropping by nearly 90 per cent, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told the Parliament.In a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the minister said safety remains the highest priority for Indian Railways, and sustained measures have significantly improved operational safety.The number of consequential train accidents has reduced from 135 in 2014…
New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) QR code-enabled identity cards and digitally traceable food packets in Indian Railways have helped eliminate unauthorised vending and ensure verified onboard catering services for rail passengers, the Parliament was informed on Thursday.To establish identity of the authorised vendors in trains, issuance of QR code enabled Identity Cards in the name of individual vendors/helpers/staff deployed for managing onboard catering services has been made mandatory, said Railways…
New Delhi, March 18 (IANS) Indian Railways’ application RailOne App has been downloaded 2.57 crore times and averages 7.64 lakh ticket bookings daily, the government said on Wednesday.Currently, around 88 per cent of reserved tickets are now booked online, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, said in Lok Sabha.In addition to the conventional modes of booking through counters, Indian Railways has introduced vari…
New Delhi, March 18 (IANS) Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, reacting to the public furore over the explicitly vulgar song ‘Sarka Chunar’, cautioned the filmmakers on Tuesday against ‘abusing’ the freedom of speech and called for exercising it within the accepted societal standards.Speaking in Lok Sabha, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “A ban has already been imposed on the song. I must tell the House clearly that we must respect and operate according to the…
Mumbai, March 18 (IANS) The Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has reacted to the controversy surrounding Nora Fatehi’s song ‘Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke’. The Union Minister spoke in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, and shared that the freedom of speech should operate within the framework of culture and society.He also shared that the freedom of speech cannot be absolute, and comes with its set of conditions.He said, “The song that the Member of Parliament mentioned ha…
New Delhi, March 18 (IANS) Indian Railways is prioritising affordable travel by expanding non‑AC general and sleeper capacity and providing an average concession of about 45 per cent per passenger to keep fares low, the government has said.Around 70 per cent of coaches are general and sleeper class and additional general coaches include about 1,250 coaches in 2024–25 and around 860 in 2025–26, according to Ministry of Railways.Railways provides a passenger subsidy of approximately Rs 60,00…