Falling through the cracks
The Indian Railways is right in setting ambitious targets but it must first deal with major legacy issues
The NDA government’s “infrastructure push” for the Indian Railways is a welcome step but it alone will not solve the many problems that the railways face today. In the last 69 years, freight loading has grown by 1,344% and passenger traffic has increased by 1,642%, while the route kilometres of the network has gro wn by a mere 23%. About 60% of the goods and passenger traffic continue to remain concentrated along 16% of what are called the Grand Trunk Lines. Last fiscal, the railways logged construction of 2,855km of new lines (up from the UPA-I average of 1,477 km) and has set for itself a stiffer target for the commissioning of 3,500km of new lines in 2017-18.
But, the emerging question is this: Is the rail reform story falling through the cracks at various points? Consider these: The railways is pitching for partnerships to develop capital intensive ‘Maglev’ or Magnetic Levitation and ultra high speed trains that can run at speeds in excess of 500km per hour, but has not been able to ensure the punctuality and safety of 12,000 passenger, mail and express trains that still trundle along at leisurely average speeds of 54km per hour, and 95% of passengers continue to be herded like cattle into jam-packed train compartments. On board entertainment solutions are being offered, but the railways have continued to top the official list of being the most corrupt government organisation, year after year. Reams of official material proclaiming the “transformation” brought about during NDA rule have been released, but the transporter’s operating ratio (paisa spent against every rupee earned) has been going up.
The Indian Railways suffers from several “legacy issues”. To his credit, the Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has taken a realistic shot at tackling some of these — and achieved meaningful changes as well. But he needs to ensure that policies stay centered to the needs of a common Indian passenger and improving existing infrastructure first before framing more ambitious targets.