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Southern Railway Earnings Grow 5% Amid Ridership Boom
15 Aug
Summary
- SR recorded 4.5% growth in originating earnings in 2024-25
- Maintained 91.2% punctuality despite increased train services
- Added 4 Vande Bharat Trains, increased speeds on 2,800 route km
As of August 15, 2025, Southern Railway (SR) has reported strong financial and operational performance in the recent years. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, SR recorded originating earnings of ₹12,659 crores, reflecting a growth of 4.5% over the previous year. This positive trend has continued into the current financial year, with SR registering more than 5% growth in earnings up to July 2025.
Despite the increase in train services and passenger numbers, SR has maintained a punctuality rate of 91.2%, as stated by its General Manager RN Singh in his Independence Day speech on August 15, 2025. To cater to the rising demand, SR added three pairs of new trains and operated around 5,150 trips of Special Trains over and above the regular services during 2024-25. The railway also added 108 general coaches across 90 trains to manage the extra passenger load.
In terms of infrastructure development, SR has completed several key projects in the last financial year, including the Chennai Beach - Chennai Egmore 4th Line, Chinnasalem- Porpada kurichi New Line, Peralam - Karaikal New Line, and the new Pamban Bridge. Additionally, the railway has augmented four Vande Bharat Trains to 20 and 16 coaches, and converted 34 trains from ICF coaches to modern LHB coaches. Over the next three years, SR plans to convert almost all its trains to LHB coaches.
To improve mobility, SR has increased train speeds on over 2,800 route kilometers from the earlier 80/90 kmph to 110/100 kmph, and on 415 route kilometers from 110 kmph to 130 kmph. The work is currently underway to further increase the speed to 130 kmph on the Jolarpet-Coimbatore route.
