'Giant body like Indian Railways can't be revived overnight'

MUMBAI: A behemoth like the Railways can't be overhauled overnight, and the efforts to reform the country's biggest employer would bear fruits with persistence, a former member of Railway Board has said.

"A Kaizen approach to Railway reforms", an analytical opinion detailing a slew of feasible measures and steps to revive the Railways, and penned by an ex-Railway Board member, was shared by the Western Railway with mediapersons today.

"The Railways, which employs over 14 lakh, is a giant organization, and its revival is not possible overnight. The public sector undertaking (PSU) can't reach the standards of rail technology in terms of speed, safety and passenger comfort, akin to Japan, China or the USA, in a short span of time," the opinion read.

Citing the adage "Rome was not built in a day", the writer's views sought to convey that Big Bang reforms in Indian Railways is neither possible nor desirable.

Kaizen is a Japanese style of working adopted in offices and work environments, which means 'continuous improvement'.

Following the principles of Kaizen, the Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has embarked on a well-thought growth path, with both short-term and long-term measures to bring about a significant turnaround in the Railways' functioning, the report said.

Elaborating on the ease of booking or cancelling tickets through online mode or digital media, among other cost-effective initiatives such as mechanised laundaries, the analysis made by the author seeks to offer valuable insights in the direction of Railway reforms.