6 suggestions for new railway ministry

[prasad1]

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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 .
* 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.
Time to run trains on secure, corporatized fast track - The Times of India

 

[krish44]

first let them put a decent reservation system in place.

I only got an infection travelling in one train four days back .still recovering.both cleanliness and food on board are concerns

 

[P.J.]

These are to be set right first

Full of cockroaches, small mouses eating, and making holes in the hand bags, unclean smelly toilets, late running, touts buying the tickets in advance, unhygienic food preparation, lack of clean bath cum toilets in the Railway Stations, lack of rest rooms, urchins and and ticket less travel, begging and selling novelties , AC is not working in AC compartments, unclean linen, etc etc

Most of the time we travel only AC 2 Tier, even there we face lot of these problems.

 

[tbs]

hi
i like to share my travel in train in canada....its wonderful train experience....better than flight travel.....canada has beautiful railway

network.....nice seats and more legroom...awesome food service....i can never expect such thing in indian railways.....in canada

flights are cheaper than trains.....still fully booked.....i once travelled with AC ticket in a second class bathroom in indian railway....

 

[vgane]

Unreserved passengers in reserved compartments, poorly maintained toilets, no proper investments to prevent collision, the list goes on..Do you think Railways can be redeemed..

I have no hopes with so many pulls and pressures ..

It has to be privatized..That is the only solution!

Bill will any Government do this...Never in India!

 

[krish44]

Unreserved passengers in reserved compartments, poorly maintained toilets, no proper investments to prevent collision, the list goes on..Do you think Railways can be redeemed..

I have no hopes with so many pulls and pressures ..

It has to be privatized..That is the only solution!

Bill will any Government do this...Never in India!

indian private sector has the maximum corrupt elements, if railways are given to them they will only push up prices.

delhi learnt this the hard way privatising power distribution

there is something basic lacking in indian character. they get what they deserve

 

[V.Balasubramani]

Sir,

As a Chennaite, I would like to share the following news item which deals with lack of amenities at sub-urban Railway Stations.

“The money’s here, where are the amenities? – The Hindu

Commuters on EMUs between the southern suburbs and thecity are a restless lot. Many of them complain that amenities at suburbanstations have not kept pace with the rise in the number of commuters. Work tooprogresses at a sluggish pace, they add. More than a million commuters usesuburban trains in Chennai every day.

Commuters point out that the revenue generated throughticket sales in the routes should be utilised for developing infrastructurefacilities in stations such as Pallavaram, Chromepet, Guindy and Mambalam.

Read more:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-infra/the-moneys-here-where-are-the-amenities/article6026465.ece

 

[V.Balasubramani]

The gruelling task of guarding MRTS stations – The Hindu

As summer peaks,police personnel at the facilities have no access to drinking water or toilet facilities

The feeling of relief when you are able to gulp down a bottle of water in thesearing heat is priceless.

Sadly, access to even a glass of water is a dreamfor the few policemen who guard the less-frequented MRTS stations across the city. Police constables, especially women, are put to tremendous hardship when they stand guard at the railway stations.

They do not have access to drinking water or toilet facilities in most of the stations.
Such facilities are available only in Mylapore, Velachery and Beach railwaystations, say sources.

“Most of the constables work on a shift basis. Some of them bring their water bottles,but refilling them is impossible due to lack of potable water,” says a TamilNadu Special Police constable who was on duty at an MRTS railway station.

Readmore:http://www.one.in/hindu/the-gruelling-task-of-guarding-mrts-stations-1-3749780.html

 

[kovilooran]

No new train services in between Mumbai Chennai for the last 50 years. Not a single rajdhani or shatabthi in this route. Even one fast train summer special with good speed was stopped with the end of summer about 8 years back.
It is high time the railways run, maintain efficiently and increase the number of AC coaches in all trains. Even the user in higher classes should be concerned about the fellow passengers and maintain cleanliness within the AC compartments.
Those who cant travel decently should stop commuting in AC coach.