According to Railways Right to Information (RTI) reply,  the limited train services for most of the year with no subsidies or concessions and severely tightening of expenses have led to the Railways better its operating ratio to 97.45 percent in the financial year (FY) 2020-21 from 98.36 percent the previous fiscal

Operating ratio is the amount spent to earn every Rs 100. The lower it is the better. It is used to measure the operational efficiency of any organisation. Higher the operating ratio, lower the financial resources available for expansion and growth. The improvement in the running costs of the Railways means the national transporter was able to lower its expenditure and make up for the shortfall in passenger traffic through revenue generated by freight operations. "Operating ratio for the year 2019- 2020 was 98.36 percent...

the operating ratio for 2020-21 has been calculated at 97.45 percent on a provisional basis," the Railway Board said in reply to an RTI query by Madhya Pradesh-based activist Chandra Shekar Gaur. A railway spokesperson attributed the improved numbers to the strict monitoring of expenses by the national transporter which, he said, is a "combination of initiatives aimed at maximizing revenue receipts and minimizing controllable revenue expenses".

India’s economy would recover in the ongoing financial year: SBI Chairman

India’s economy would recover in the ongoing financial year: SBI Chairman

RBI assessment: Second COVID wave trimmed down Rs 2 lakh cr output