Indian Railways

Indian Railways, established in 1853, is one of the world's longest railway networks, playing a crucial role in India's economy and cultural integration. It has transitioned from steam engines to diesel and electric engines, focusing on modernization and urban transport with metro rail systems. Despite regional disparities, efforts like Dedicated Freight Corridors aim to enhance efficiency and address challenges like ageing infrastructure and financial sustainability. The government's initiatives include station redevelopment, digitization, technology adoption, and partnering with stakeholders through PPP models. Modernizing Indian Railways is imperative for national development, requiring collaborative efforts from all stakeholders.

Indian Railways carries both freight (goods) and passengers, contributing significantly to the economy. Mahatma Gandhi acknowledged its role in unifying diverse cultures during India's freedom struggle. Railway infrastructure initially focused on linking towns, raw material sources, plantations, and commercial crop areas during British colonial rule. Post-independence, railway expansion extended to previously underserved regions. Today, railways remain important for mass transportation, although network density varies across regions. Hill states, northeastern states, central India, and Rajasthan have relatively less dense railway networks.

Indian railways has transitioned from steam engines to diesel and electric engines for increased speed and capacity. They have focused on reduction of environmental impact by replacing coal-powered steam engines. There is an Urban transport revolution because of metro rail implementation. This has reduced vehicles on the road and in turn pollution in the city.

• Established in 1853 with a 34 km line from Bombay to Thane.
• Largest government undertaking in India, with a network stretching 67,956 km (Railway Yearbook 2019-20).
• There are 19 railway zones in India (including Metro Railway, Kolkata). These zones are responsible for managing and operating the Indian Railways network in different regions of the country.

1. Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs): High-speed, high-capacity railway corridors exclusively for freight transportation to alleviate congestion and enhance network efficiency. There are two main corridors Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) between Mumbai- & Uttar Pradesh, and the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC): from Punjab to West Bengal.
2. Golden Quadrilateral Freight Corridor (GQFC): Concept proposed during the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002–07) to address the projected rise in freight traffic. Comprises 6 Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs). Connects the major metropolitan cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. Carries 55% of India Railway's freight traffic over a total route length of 10,122 km. The primary objectives of GQFC are:-
   • Separate freight traffic from passenger traffic on high-density routes.
   • Enhance operational efficiency, reduce operational costs, and accommodate higher volumes of freight traffic.
   • Facilitate the movement of heavy coal for power generation and support infrastructure construction and international trade.
3. High-Speed Rail (HSR): Introduction of bullet trains operating at speeds exceeding 300 kmph to reduce travel time between major cities. Initial corridor development between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, in collaboration with Japan.
4. Train Sets: Introduction of indigenous train sets like the Vande Bharat Express on the Delhi-Varanasi route, with plans for more domestic production and deployment.

IRFC is the financial arm of Indian Railways. It was established in 1986 as a wholly owned subsidiary of India. The Headquarters of IRFC is located in New Delhi. It functions under the Ministry of Railways
Objectives of IRFC :

• To raise funds from domestic and international markets for the development of infrastructure of Indian Railways.
• To lease the to Indian Railways. It reduces the capital expenditure of railways.
• To provide financial support for various railway projects such as electrification, network expansion, and modernization efforts.

• Safety: In the past, Indian trains often had accidents, which made safety a big problem.
• Aging Infrastructure: Much of the railway infrastructure is old and requires substantial upgrades and modernization.
• Low Speed: Average train speeds are comparatively low, hindering efficiency and travel times.
• Delays: Trains frequently run late, causing inconvenience to passengers and disrupting schedules.
• Capacity Limitations: Existing lines are often overburdened because of high demand, leading to congestion.
• Environmental Impact: There's a need to reduce the environmental footprint of railway operations.
• Financial Sustainability: Ensuring long-term financial viability is crucial, particularly considering the significant costs associated with modernization.
• Competition: Indian Railways faces competition from roadways and airways, requiring improvements in service and competitiveness. According to the Annual Report of the Ministry of Railways, the market share of Indian Railways in freight transportation declined from 89.6% in 1950-51 to 27% in 2019-20.
• Human Resources: A shortage of skilled personnel, especially in safety, maintenance, and operations, presents a challenge. According to the Indian Railways Annual Report 2020-21, the sanctioned strength of employees for Indian Railways was 15.06 lakh as of March 2020, out of which 12.09 lakh were filled, resulting in a vacancy of 19.7%

• Safety Enhancements: Implementing advanced safety technologies like the Kavach system (an indigenous Automatic Train Protection system), along with track and equipment upgrades, is essential to reduce accidents.
• Funding: Exploring alternative funding sources like Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), asset monetization, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and multilateral loans, can supplement budgetary allocations.
• Land Acquisition: Improving the land acquisition process for railway projects, while ensuring fair compensation and rehabilitation, can speed up expansion and upgrades.
• Coordination and Innovation: Effective coordination among central and state governments, railway boards, zonal railways, the private sector, and civil society is necessary for modernization.
• Addressing Delays: Improved scheduling, infrastructure upgrades, and better signaling can decrease train delays.

The Kakodkar Committee has made many recommendations like establishing a statutory railway safety authority and investing Rs 1 lakh crore over five years including the following aspects: General safety matters, Empowerment at Working Level, Safety related works and Issues, Filling up of vacancies in critical safety categories and Manpower Planning issues, Plugging the shortage of critical Safety Spares, Removal of encroachment, Upgradation of Signalling, Telecommunication and Train Protection system, Upgradation of Rolling Stock, Track, Bridges, Elimination of Level Crossings, Human Resource Development with emphasis on Education and Training Institutes on Indian Railways, Eco-System and Safety Architectures on Indian Railways. These suggestions, if implemented, can enable transformation of the Indian Railways.

• Increasing Capital Expenditure
• Railways' annual average capital expenditure has doubled from Rs 45,974 crore (2009-14) to Rs 99,512 crore (2014-19).
• Budget estimate for 2021-22 allocates Rs 2.15 lakh crore, the highest-ever, for railway capital expenditure.
• Amrit Bharat Stations Scheme: Launched to modernize railway infrastructure, focusing on 508 stations initially, with plans for 1328 stations overall under the 'Adarsh Stations Scheme’
  • Improvements: Includes better facilities like waiting areas, toilets, lifts, Wi-Fi, and shops for local products, aiming for comfort, cleanliness, and accessibility.
  • Station-wise Plans: Customization to reflect local culture and heritage, enhancing aesthetic appeal and community connection.
  • Enhanced Experience: Improved facilities promise a better travel experience, boosting economic and cultural aspects.
  • Integrated Urban Development: Stations envisioned as city centers, focusing on traffic flow, connectivity, and urban mobility.
  • Green Initiatives: LED lights in coaches, increased bio-toilets, aligning with India's Net Zero Emissions goal by 2030.

    Bio Toilets Initiative

    • Bio-toilets developed by the Railways and the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) contain a colony of anaerobic bacteria placed in a container below the toilet that converts human waste into water and small amounts of gases.
    • The gases are released into the atmosphere and the water is released onto the track after chlorination.
    • Under DRDO's bio-toilet concept, the bio-digester tank in each toilet is filled with inoculum containing 4 types of bacteria.
    • The water trap system in the toilet prevents air from entering the tank, human waste is processed by anaerobic bacteria in seven chambers in the tank and methane gas is allowed to escape into the air.
    • After completion of this process, only methane, carbon dioxide gases and water remain. These gases remain in the environment while the water can be recycled and reused in toilets.
    • Gwalior-Varanasi Bundelkhand Express was the first bio-toilet-fitted train that has been running since January 2011.

Digitization Initiatives

• Launch of digital platforms:
  • IRCTC website and app for ticket booking
  • UTS app for unreserved ticketing
  • Rail MADAD app for grievance redressal
  • Rail SAARTHI app for integrated services
  • Human Resource Management System (HRMS) was launched by Indian Railways to digitizeand create a centralized, transparent, and efficient system for managing the vast workforce of Indian Railways.
• Implementation of technology for enhanced monitoring and services:
  • CCTV cameras
  • Wi-Fi hotspots
  • GPS devices
  • RFID tags on trains and stations

Technological Advancements

• Vande Bharat Express for semi-high-speed travel
• 12,000 HP electric locomotives for powerful freight operations
• Real-time train tracking systems
• Collision avoidance systems (KAVACH)
• 3D printing for coach components

Strategic Focus of the Indian Railways:-

• Switching to Renewable Energy:
  • Accelerated railway electrification (over 4.5 times increase)
  • Targeting 100% electrification of broad gauge by December 2023
  • Solar power projects on railway land
• Partnering with Stakeholders:
  • Adopting a public-private partnership (PPP) model
  • Examples:
    • Outsourcing passenger trains to private operators
    • Station redevelopment
• Innovating Financing:
  • Raising funds from LIC
  • Securing loans from Asian Development Bank and Japan International Cooperation Agency
  • Issuing green bonds for renewable energy projects.

The Bibek Debroy Committee advocates a transformational agenda for the Indian Railways, proposing restructuring into a government-owned company for greater autonomy and regulatory supervision. It suggests gradual privatization, starting with outsourcing of non-core services, along with investment in infrastructure, tariff rationalization and cost-cutting measures. The Committee focused on human resource restructuring for increased productivity and skill development while advocating adoption of technology to improve safety and passenger services. These recommendations are aimed at modernizing Indian Railways into a financially sustainable, efficient and technologically advanced entity.

• Indian Railways introduces 151 new trains for private companies to operate.
• Former Planning Commission and Niti Aayog recommend railway privatization.
• Public transportation sector opens up to improve services and stimulate growth.
• Benefits of Privatization
  • Improved infrastructure targets: electrifying 100% of broad gauge track by 2022-23.
  • Speeding up infrastructure creation from 7 km/day to 19 km/day.
  • Privatization could enhance safety, shorten travel times, and upgrade services.
  • Competition may lead to better service quality and cleaner facilities.
  • Incorporating the latest technology can upgrade safety and travel experience.
• Cons of Privatization
  • Privatization may prioritize profitable routes, neglecting less lucrative sectors.
  • Remote areas could be excluded from development and accessibility.
  • Increased fees may limit access for lower-income groups.
  • Private operators could struggle due to cross-subsidization challenges.
  • Conflict of interest between Ministry of Railways roles could hinder fair competition.
  • Social welfare concerns: privatization may impact inflation and goods transportation costs.

Indian Railways is one of the largest revenue generating entity of the Government contributing to country’s growth and development. It also has a rich heritage, with some stations dating back more than a century. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Indian Railways is one of the largest revenue producers for the Government of India, contributing significantly to the country's GDP.

Indian Railways is poised for a period of significant transformation. By embracing technological advancements, strategic partnerships, and a renewed focus on efficiency, the railways can solidify their position as a vital pillar of India's economic and social development.

This transformation will come at the back of substantial budgetary allocations for infrastructural developments of Rs 2.55 lakh crore for FY 2024-25, which is up by about 6% since last year in the Budget. These steps along with ensuring the electrification & efficiency of Indian Railways will help India to transform and develop.