Time to run trains on secure, corporatized fast track

NEW DELHI: The railways are facing a huge crisis. For years now, the department has suffered neglect as successive ministers have used it to serve their political purpose . It is over-staffed (14 lakh employees), the rolling stock is poorly maintained, lines are congested and there’s an attitude of ‘chalta-hai ’ in the management. As a result, the cash-strapped national transport network is badly hobbled.

Barring some Shatabdi and Rajdhani trains, all trains are poorly maintained, dirty and often lacking in basic facilities like working, clean bathrooms or bulbs that work. Railway freight is losing out to road transport as it has become expensive and unreliable. Modernization of railways is a very urgent task which can be carried out only by a strong leadership and sense of direction and purpose . The top priorities for the railways are:

Bring a drastic reforms agenda like corporatization of the railways by setting up an Indian Railways Corporation and an independent Indian Rail Regulatory Authority( IRRA). A softer option would be to push for incremental reforms such as dynamic pricing , setting up an independent tariff regulator, shifting to commercial accounting practices, attracting more private investments, and spinning off the services function of railways.

Make the railways safer. Bring in necessary technology and retrain manpower to inculcate a culture of zero tolerance to anything that compromises with safety. Tracks need proper upkeep. Eliminate unmanned rail crossings.

Indians have been denied high-speed train travel for decades. The plan to run bullet trains (300kmph) and increasing the speed of Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains to 160-200 kmph needs to be accelerated . Passengers should be able to travel fast, safe and with comfort and dignity.

Improve hygiene inside trains, on platforms and along tracks. We need to build world-class stations. The experience of travelling by trains needs to improve dramatically so it becomes a preferred mode of travel.

Trains running late have become the rule than the exception . The focus has to be on punctuality so that rail travel becomes reliable. Create a policy framework for attracting private investment.