Ashwini Vaishnaw, the man at the helm of Indian Railways, is not just managing one of the world’s largest transport networks—he’s audaciously reimagining it. In recent weeks, his pronouncements and plans have reflected a mindset that blends engineering depth with entrepreneurial agility.
What caught my attention this time was his move to introduce a “sandbox” for start-ups. Imagine that—Indian Railways, a 170-year-old institution, opening its doors to experimentation and disruption. Vaishnaw is laying the ground for innovators to test their ideas within real railway operations. This isn’t just reform; it’s evolution.
Equally striking is his insistence on green energy. At the Madhya Pradesh Global Investor Summit, he said something that lingers in my mind: “If a nuclear power plant can be set up in Madhya Pradesh, Indian Railways would be very happy to enter into an agreement to purchase electricity from it.” That one sentence shows a rare clarity—economic ambition coupled with ecological intent.
In Bihar, where railway infrastructure had long suffered from step-motherly treatment, he announced a tenfold budget increase—from ₹1,000 crore to ₹10,000 crore. He’s not sprinkling promises; he’s pouring capital. Add to that a ₹350 crore upgrade at the prestigious IRIMEE in Jamalpur, and you see a minister who’s investing in both hardware and humanware.
His response to Mizoram’s demand for better connectivity was diplomatic yet assuring: “All submitted proposals will receive thorough evaluation.” That’s how you keep the development dialogue open without overpromising.
Then there’s the passenger pledge—something every Indian family can relate to. Vaishnaw has confidently said that within five years, every railway traveler should get a confirmed ticket. Ambitious? Yes. But the allocation of ₹1 lakh crore for new trains tells me he’s serious.
What also makes him stand out is his comfort with scale. 200 new Vande Bharat, 50 Namo Bharat, 100 Amrit Bharat trains—it’s not just headline-grabbing, it’s future-defining. The ₹2.52 lakh crore railway budget isn’t just a number; it’s a blueprint.
Ashwini Vaishnaw may come across as soft-spoken, but his work speaks volumes. In my view, he represents a new breed of technocratic leaders in government—those who don’t just dream big but know how to break it into executable tasks.
In a country where delay has often been tradition, Vaishnaw is introducing a new culture—one where delivery is the only signal that matters.
