<h1>Railway Budget 2016-17: Ordinary Expenses Cut by Rs. 8,720 Cr, Earnings Miss Targets, Economy Measures Implemented.</h1> In the Railway Budget 2016-17, the Railway Minister reported a decrease in Ordinary Working Expenses by Rs. 8,720 crore for 2015-16, alongside a net reduction in Gross Traffic Receipts by Rs. 15,744 crore. Passenger and freight earnings fell short of targets due to persistent negative growth trends and low demand from the core sector. To address this, Indian Railways implemented strict economy measures, reducing budgeted expenses. Despite these challenges, the excess of receipts over expenditure stood at Rs. 11,402.40 crore, with an operating ratio target of 90%. The plan size for 2015-16 remained at Rs. 1,00,000 crore.