Mains Marathon 2024

Approach Briefly introduce the Indian Railway system and current structure State the issues faced by the Railway System Suggest a way forward or measures to address those issues Conclude suitably

Introduction

Indian Railways, one of the world's largest rail networks, is crucial for India's economic development and connectivity. Despite its importance in a densely populated nation and notable achievements such as the successful launch of Vande Bharat trains and progress in electrification, the railways face significant challenges.

These include frequent policy changes, unrealized network expansion plans, and aging infrastructure, which have contributed to tragic accidents—seven major incidents since 1995 resulting in over 1,600 fatalities.

Body

Major Issues Related to Indian Railways

• Accidents and Derailments: Poor infrastructure maintenance and aging assets contribute to frequent accidents, derailments, and collisions. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report highlights concerns about signal failures and rail fractures, significant accident contributors.
• Challenges in Financial Performance: Indian Railways faces financial challenges, with the profitable freight segment offsetting massive losses in the passenger segment. The CAG report from 2023 noted a loss of Rs. 68,269 crore in passenger services, covered by freight profits.
• Cripplingly Slow Journeys: Average speeds of mail and express trains remain low at 50-51 kmph, failing to meet "Mission Raftar" targets. Rail travel's slow pace makes it less attractive compared to faster road and air travel. The "semi-high-speed" Vande Bharat trains focus more on interiors than speed improvements, not addressing slow travel times.
• Slow Integration of Emerging Technologies: Indian Railways is slow in adopting new technologies to enhance efficiency, safety, and customer experience. For instance, the Kavach System, which prevents train collisions, is only installed on 1,465 km of tracks and 139 locomotives, with pending contracts for 3,000 km.
• Challenges in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Models: Indian Railways struggles with effectively leveraging PPP models for infrastructure development, operations, and service delivery, hindering private capital and expertise mobilization.
  • The Bharat Gaurav private train operations face challenges due to revenue-sharing concerns, operational autonomy, and regulatory uncertainties.
• Ineffective Asset Utilization and Maintenance Strategies: Indian Railways struggles to optimize the utilization of its assets, including rolling stock, infrastructure, and land, leading to inefficiencies and underutilization. Instances of theft, such as the stolen railway bridge in Bihar and railway tracks, highlight the issue.

Measures to Improve the Railway Sector in India

• Integrated Multimodal Logistics Solutions:
  • Develop logistics parks and multimodal hubs near major industrial clusters and urban centers for efficient intermodal connectivity.
  • Integrate rail, road, and air transportation for seamless door-to-door movement of goods and passengers.
• Renewable Energy Integration:
  • Implement large-scale solar panel installations on station rooftops, vacant land, and along railway tracks.
  • Explore battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies for rolling stock and auxiliary power units to reduce carbon footprint.
• Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS):
  • Implement real-time traffic management, automated train control systems, and intelligent signaling systems like Kavach to enhance network capacity and safety.
  • Learn from Germany's Deutsche Bahn for operational efficiency and punctuality.
• Value Capture from Land Development:
  • Utilize land assets near railway stations for commercial development projects (e.g., malls, office spaces) to generate additional revenue streams.
• Digital Twins and Predictive Analytics:
  • Create digital twins of the railway network for simulation, testing, and optimization.
  • Use predictive analytics and machine learning for proactive maintenance, asset optimization, and safety improvements.
  • Integrate digital twins with decision support systems for data-driven decision-making and risk management.
• Enhance Railway Safety :
  • Kakodkar Committee (2012):
    • Establish a statutory Railway Safety Authority and a non-lapsable Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) of Rs. 1 lakh crores for safety projects.
    • Adopt advanced technologies for track maintenance, enhance human resource management, and ensure independent accident investigations.
  • Bibek Debroy Committee (2014):
    • Separate the railway budget from the general budget, outsource non-core activities, and establish a Railway Infrastructure Authority of India.
  • Vinod Rai Committee (2015):
    • Set up an independent Railway Safety Authority and Railway Accident Investigation Board.
    • Establish a separate Railway Infrastructure Company and implement a performance-linked incentive scheme for employees.
  • Rakesh Mohan Committee (2010):
    • Revamp the accounting system to align with Indian GAAP and expand railway presence in various sectors.
    • Focus on long-distance transport, speed upgrades, connectivity to industry clusters and ports, and develop logistics parks.

Conclusion

Indian Railways, a vital component of India's transportation system, faces major challenges such as safety concerns, financial inefficiencies, and slow technology adoption. Recent accidents and financial losses highlight the pressing need for modernization and strategic reforms. Committee recommendations advocate for independent safety bodies, better asset management, and improved financial oversight. To overcome these issues, Indian Railways should focus on integrated logistics, renewable energy solutions, and advanced technologies. Implementing these strategies can boost efficiency, safety, and service quality, reinforcing the railways' role as a dependable transport network