The response to a Right to Information query has unveiled that the Indian Railways garnered a significant sum of ₹1,229.85 crore from canceled waiting list tickets between 2021 and 2024. This revenue source exhibited a consistent growth trend, with the number of cancellations escalating from 2.53 crore in 2021 to 5.26 crore in 2023.
The Railway Ministry’s earnings surged accordingly, from ₹242.68 crore in 2021 to ₹505 crore in 2023. This substantial revenue influx has sparked concerns among experts, prompting calls for a recalibration of waitlisted slots offered to passengers. Former railway officials advocate for a more accurate assessment of demand patterns to avoid overselling waiting list tickets, suggesting adjustments to waiting list thresholds to mitigate cancellations and optimize passenger satisfaction.