Vaishnaw Clarifies Rules on Luxury Train Travel for Officials and Updates Parliament on Station Development Works

NEW DELHI, MARCH 18: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has stated in the Lok Sabha that railway officials and their families can travel on Indian Railways services, including premium trains, strictly in accordance with existing rules and eligibility norms.

Responding to a parliamentary question regarding complimentary travel on luxury trains such as the Palace on Wheels and Maharaja Express, the minister clarified that travel benefits, where applicable, are governed by the Railway Servants Rules, 1986. He emphasized that officials are entitled to travel with their families only as permitted under the established regulations.

The query was raised by a Member of Parliament seeking details about officials who may have availed complimentary travel on these high-end trains since 2012. The MP also questioned whether such travel for officials and their spouses on official duty was justified, particularly considering that fares for these luxury trains range between ₹4 lakh and ₹22 lakh per person, depending on the category and itinerary.

In his written response, Vaishnaw reiterated that travel privileges are not arbitrary and must comply with applicable service rules. He underlined that Indian Railways follows defined procedures for all official entitlements, ensuring adherence to regulatory frameworks.

Separately, the minister addressed another query related to development works at Karur railway station. He informed the House that upgrades under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme are progressing steadily. According to him, several improvement projects—including station building renovation, platform enhancements, waiting halls, circulation areas, and other passenger amenities—have already been completed.

He added that additional works such as platform surfacing, installation of lifts and escalators, water booths, seating arrangements, and the construction of a 12-metre Foot Over Bridge are currently underway as part of the station’s modernization plan.

The statement aimed to provide clarity on both the travel-related issue and ongoing infrastructure development efforts, reinforcing that railway operations and benefits continue to function within established