Indian railways is often considered the lifeline of the nation and is one of the largest railway networks, accommodating millions of passengers and tons of freight daily. It has a vast reach and affordability, making it an indispensable mode of transportation across the diverse population.
However, behind this impressive achievement lies a huge problem that hinders its full potential and compromises passenger experience as well as operational efficiency. There have been significant initiatives taken up to modernise, but the issues continue to affect the system, demanding the urgent need for comprehensive solutions.
Infrastructure Congestion and Capacity Strain
One of the most significant concerns for Indian railways is its old, ageing, overutilised infrastructure. The significant area of the network operates at 100% capacity, leading to severe congestion. This congestion leads to frequent delays, limits the introduction of new services, and shortens the time needed for essential maintenance and safety inspections.
Many bridges are years old, posing a threat to safety and causing operational disruptions. Despite the ongoing efforts to electrify lines and build dedicated freight corridors, the speed of development struggles to keep up with the increasing demands of the growing economy and population.
The capacity problems affect punctuality as well as limit the railway’s ability to compete with other modes of transportation effectively, particularly for high-value cargo or load.
Safety Concerns and Technological Struggle
Safety remains the most important concern of Indian railways. Even though there has been a significant decline in accidents over the past decade, incidents like derailment, collisions and issues at unmanned crossings still happen.
The outdated signalling systems and the widespread implementation of advanced safety technologies like Kavach, which is an automatic train protection system, play a crucial role. The financial problems of Indian Railways are sometimes constrained by populist pricing policy in the passenger segments, putting a limit on the funds available needed for safety upgrades and track maintenance.
The huge difference between the operational cost and revenue generation stops critical investments in modernising the safety infrastructure, leaving some parts of the network vulnerable.
Cleanliness, Service Quality and Customer Experience
Keeping operational efficiency aside, the quality of passenger services, cleanliness, and the overall customer service aren’t up to expectations. Overcrowding, which is the major issue in Indian railways, especially in unreserved compartments, leads to discomfort and even safety issues.
Cleanliness both on trains and at stations remains an ongoing issue. Initiatives like “Clean my Coach” still cannot stop passengers from complaining about dirty toilets, unkempt coaches, and insufficient waste management, making it an unpleasant travel experience.
However, digital initiatives have been taken up, such as online ticketing and real-time train tracking, which have made train travel easier. The customer service experience during train delays or issues can be inconsistent. Addressing these issues is crucial to ensure our experience and safety are not compromised.
Conclusion
Indian railways, having a significant historical significance, is vital for the nation’s progress. Recent years have focused on modernising, and there are persistent challenges to infrastructure in safety and service quality which is a significant threat.
Overcoming these issues isn’t an easy task, which requires consistent efforts to change, sustained and substantial investment in upgrading the infrastructure, safety features, improving cleanliness and overall customer experience. Tackling these issues head-on can make Indian railways one of the most efficient and safe modes of transportation.
Let us know your thoughts. If you have burning thoughts or opinions to express, please feel free to reach out to us at larra@globalindiannetwork.com.
