All aboard the new business express

For decades, Indian Railways (IR) was the nation's preferred travel partner. Then came liberalisation, low-cost airlines and a new era of flying. For business travellers, the equation was simple: flying/airports offered speed, structure and predictability. Flying became a symbol of progress - fast, efficient and aspirational. Trains were left behind in the slow lane. But that equation is shifting again. While air travel remains quick, it's not hassle-free. Long queues, security checks, baggage limits and increasingly unpredictable schedules have chipped away at flying's glamour.

Enter the railway reboot. IR, which began operations in 1853, is quietly making a play for the business crowd. On May 22, Narendra Modi inaugurated 103 Amrit Bharat stations across 18 states and UTs, part of a nationwide station upgrade scheme worth ₹11,000 cr. These revamped stations will have clean platforms, modern toilets, better accessibility and, crucially, business-friendly amenities: lounges, workspaces, Wi-Fi and AC waiting halls. Unlike cookie-cutter glass-and-steel airports, these revamped stations will reflect local art and heritage. The Secunderabad Station will have Cheriyal scroll paintings, while Ahmedabad Station will draw inspiration from the Modhera Sun temple. Coaches are getting a facelift, too. IR recently unveiled a new AC First Class coach designed for airline business class - plush interiors, ambient lighting and comfort-focused seating. Now, IR must deliver on this promise - consistently, across the board.

And here's the clincher: you don't need to go 'airplane mode' while flying from destination A to B. You can work uninterrupted on a train. Add more room to stretch out and the ability to walk into your next meeting - no baggage claim required. For India's business travellers, rail may no longer be a compromise. It might just be the smarter, smoother ride.