Archive · 31 Jul 2026
Railway Ministry Spent Crores on 336 Officials' Luxury Travel
A group of 336 railway officials used very expensive luxury trains like Palace on Wheels and Maharajas’ Express over the last 12 years, costing the government a lot of money.
A politician named V.S. Matheswaran asked the Railway Ministry about this in Parliament.
The ministry said officials can travel with families on many trains, but it didn’t say they could use the luxury ones.
Matheswaran said the ministry had lied in the past.
The ministry only gave the number 336, not the names of the officials.
The issue is about whether public money was used properly.
Railway Ministry spent public money on luxury train travel for 336 officials over 12 years.
Officials used trains like Palace on Wheels, Maharajas’ Express, Deccan Odyssey costing up to Rs 26 lakh per person.
DMK MP V.S. Matheswaran raised the issue in Parliament, alleging ministry misled the House in 2022.
Ministry responded that officials are allowed to travel with families on Indian Railways trains per 1986 Rules, but denied amendments for luxury trains.
Ministry provided only the number 336, not names, when asked for details.
- Who
- DMK MP V.S. Matheswaran and the Railway Ministry
- What
- Allegations of misuse of public funds for luxury train travel by railway officials
- When
- July 2026 (question) and 2022 (previous statement)
- Where
- India, Parliament, Indian Railways
- Why
- To expose alleged misallocation of public money
- Number of officials
- 336
- Time period
- 12 years
- Luxury trains involved
- Palace on Wheels, Maharajas’ Express, Deccan Odyssey
- Ministry response date
- July 22, 2026
- Parliament question date
- July 29, 2026