This document discusses issues and proposed reforms for the Indian railways. It notes that while the railways serve over 8.4 billion passengers annually, it only covers 55% of the total available area. Staffing costs account for 48% of operating expenses and corruption has led to lost revenue. The document proposes changes to maintenance, operations, and workforce management. It highlights research underway to increase passenger train speeds to 200-250 km/hr and modernize freight transport. Reforms aim to make the railways more efficient and transform it into a world-class transportation system.

1. To
The editor,
Statesman,
Kolkata
Thisis indeedamatterof relief andsighthatthe life lineof ourland,(afteranyriver) isgoingto take
concrete stepsinthe ameliorationof presentstate of affairsinordertoserve betterservice tothe
commuters notlessthanan entire populationof afew tinynation,todayitcoversonly55 % of the total
available areaswithnearly8,400 millionpassengersannually.Whereas ,itspentnearly 76,300 crores of
rupees,on wage andsalary administration.The revenues isthe inflow receivedfromgoods
transportationare not somuch impressiveneitherthe route coveredinkilometerasexpectedafter70
yearsof nationalization.
One of the innovative projectundertakenbythe officialsof kharagpurrailwaythat “Jugalbandi”ablend
calm andquite atmosphere during journeywith science andmusic.Anotherstepstakenon
rationalizationof staff strength inordertoconvertthe presentmanpowerintoa consolidatedteam
containedbyeffectivenessandefficiencyandtoevaluate the performance of eachemployeewith
properauditing.H.RAudithasbeenintroducedandthree specializedgroupsofarbeenhiredtoconduct
the tasks ingloballypatterned perspectives.
The moot issue andimpendingfactorsbehindthe non performingculture aroundthe entireoperationis
Indianrailways,theirboardmembersandexecutiveshave deeplybeenengagedandcompelledto
involve inthe matterandproblemsthose are notat all a core issue orcouldbe consideredanaffective
dutyto run the rail smoothly.There isimmediateneedof changesinmaintenance,operational and
manpowersystemisbeinghopedthatexpertshiredcouldsuggestthe figure foroptimal strengthis
genuinelyrequiredthanwhatare beingdulycarriedandbeingpaid.
Staffingcostshasbecome mostsignificantexpenditure lionshare of revenue gallopedonthathead,lack
of operational staff anddisinterestsonlatesttechnologyor longpendingdemandof modernizationas
apprehendedlossof jobabove all nonprofessionalismattitudesandlackof coordinating
communicationbetweenone destinationtoanotherhave made ourlife line asystemwith cheerless
lives.Todaytotal workforce estimatedover14lakhsincludingcontractual,the strengthcosts48% of
ordinaryworkingexpenditure.Unfortunate partof the entire operationisonly34% of gross traffichas
beenreceived during2013-14. Railwaycouldappearasone of the finesttransportsystem evenbetter
than airways, if skilled, honestand sincereremployeesare allowedtotake part ineach andevery
decisional process. Theft, altering,manipulationand corruptionmustbe arrestedinthe commercial,
ticketing,purchasingandmaintenance departments,unfortunatelymajorityof themconvertedin toa
prominentunitof lossof revenue whatestimatedatthe interval of everybudgetaryallocation.

2. The hope full scenarioisourministerisdeterminedasthe researchteamof kharagpurthe only
functional researchunitof railway isalsodetermine toenhance the speedof ourpassengertrain from
130 kilometerperhourto200/250 kilometerper hourinnextyear.IIT, Kharagpurand BEML jointly
conductinganotherresearchon freightcarries.They alsoengagedinthe modernizationof passenger
bogeywithlightermetal sothattrack couldbe availedwithmore speedytrainwithinlessfrequency.
Yours faithfully,
JaideepChatterjee,
Teacher& Thinkerof ManagementStudies,
Durgapore-713212.