Railway Services

I LONG TO BE A MEMBER OF THIS-A V Rao, Ph D., FRAS ( London) I LIVE IN HYDERABAD. I AM EIGHTY YEARS OF AGE NOW. OVER FORTY YEARS BACK I WAS NOMINATED AS A MEMBER OF THE RAILWAY USERS CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE. THX.BYE.

Surge pricing is exploitative and harmful to common man who may have to travel in emergencies. It should be done away with..

Dynamic fare policy is an utter failure and needs immediate suspension. This is only one of the wrong decisions Railways have taken and implemented. In fact, the Railway board consisting of bureaucrats are more interested in preserving their positions than the interests of railways and therefore constantly indulge in misguiding the able Railway Minister, whose integrity is beyond doubt. An independent authority from outside this cartel of bureaucrats should immediately take over the affairs of Railway Organization to improve the situation.

Indian Railways is a social organisation and the only mode that is really providing affordable travel for majority of the citizens of India. while it had been performing better from its inception, it has a lot to do to reach international standards..

Efficiency: Compared to assets owned and the revenue generated is disproportionate. a hold lot needs to be done to improve efficiency. Most of the railway employees are misusing the concessions, fraud, corruption etc is eating into railways revenues.

Cost savings can be achieved by switching to Bio-diesels for locomotives, Solar energy for stations, Better utilization of railway assets etc.

Infrastructure utilization: Looking at all the infrastructure that Railways has, one can clearly come to a conclusion that there s not strategy / mission that is driving this great organisation. Probably, people are just focused on everyday operations.

Safety: Frequent accidents are a shame on the Indian railways. Today, India has every technology in the world to avoid these accidents - anti-collision, anti-derailment are easily possible with minimal infrastructure spending.. where there is a will there is way..

Rail Fare: Has to be maintained at an affordable limit as it is the biggest mass transport mechanism for the country.

Alternate revenue generation:
1. Every station should be a hub of business. Every developed nation has this model. The failure in Indian context is more due to corruption, improper tendering and bid award.
2. Revenue thru Freights / goods movement has become less compared to road transport. Need to have daily goods specials.. Can try to identify last mile connectivity thru local transporters.. Even tieing up India post will help mutual revenue generation..
3. Electrical cable infrastructure can be used for internet / wired communication purpose. Can easily become the network back bone of the country and along with BSNL can provide for the last mail connectivity..

Hope to see a better, faster, affordable railways.. Providing low rating because of the nagging safety issue exposing Indian railways / society's insensitive to loss of human lives..