Indian Railways' Chenab Bridge – the world's highest railway arch bridge and a key part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link – is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While the project represents an engineering milestone, its inauguration by a leader widely associated with authoritarian nationalist policies raises concerns about the use of public infrastructure as a tool for centralization and potential marginalization in contested regions.

Employee unions representing Indian Railways staff have announced an indefinite strike starting May 1, 2024 if the government does not restore the Old Pension Scheme. The joint forum (JFROPS) stated that after a meeting on March 19, 2024, they resolved that without a response from authorities, a countrywide disruption of train services is imminent.

Indian Railways has deployed a drone-based surveillance system to enhance security across railway assets. The procurement of Ninja UAVs and training of Railway Protection Force personnel for real-time tracking and video streaming underscores a significant investment in surveillance technology that could potentially be used to monitor and control activities across extensive railway networks.

An analysis of Indian Railways' use of Public-Private Partnerships reveals significant regulatory and contractual ambiguities in delegating authority and ensuring judicial enforcement. These gaps raise concerns about potential exploitation, diminishing worker rights, and the undermining of public accountability in a critical public service sector.

Indian Railways has procured Ninja unmanned aerial vehicles to enhance surveillance of railway assets and ensure passenger safety, a move that raises concerns about increased state surveillance capabilities.

Indian Railways' deployment of public‐private partnership models for infrastructure projects—including station redevelopment, private train operations, and other modernizing initiatives—has raised regulatory concerns. The ambiguity in legislative frameworks and contractual guidelines might enable discretionary government power, undermine fair labor practices, and shift economic control toward private entities without adequate public oversight.