OREANDA-NEWS. March 14, 2012. Introducing the Railway Budget, Minister of Railways Shri Dinesh Trivedi said that the Railways intends to bring down the operating ratio to 84.9% in 2012-13 as compared to 95% in the current year. He said if this trend continues, the operating ratio will improve upon even the best ever of 74.7% within the 12th Plan. The best ever operating ratio was achieved way back in the year 1963-64. He said the landmark improvement in Railway Finances would enable building up a strong case to meet the challenges ahead and bring back the confidence of people in Railways, thereby dispelling all apprehensions that Indian Railways is going downhill.

 Shri Trivedi also announced Railway’s intention to return the full loan amount of Rs.3000 crore alongwith interest during the year which it has borrowed from the Finance Ministry to meet the urgent need of safety related investment in 2011-12.