Politicization of IR has definitely decreased with this govt coming to power, as compared to the previous govts. I remember in 2014 beginning, IR was contemplating gradual reduction and finally elimination of subsidies in IR, but the back to back defeats in Bihar & Delhi assembly elections, role of media, reaction of public in general have compelled the govt to tone down its plans.
An appreciable thing about Mr. Prabhu is his strong determination/commitment, that very badly needed investment for capcacity augmentation (esp. doubling) of main lines must go on at full pace in spite of the financial problems being faced by IR. This will immensely benefit IR in long run, which most probably shall be felt by public when tenure...
more... of present govt. shall end. Normally a politican in such circumstance prefer to divert the money meant for capacity augmentation to pay for salary/fuel etc. expenses, much to the detriment of IR in long run. Huge financial burden of the 7th pay commission is the real reason for all these dubious schemes of revenue generation.
The problem with most of Indian electorate is that they need immediate solution to all the problems. India is a huge country/economy, and any bringing in an appreciable improvement take huge efforts consistently for many years along with a lot of funds. Even most sincere efforts of govt shall take many years to bring an appreciable change, for which Indian public/media/opposition are often not mentally prepared.