Speed and strategy – Indian Railways must get its priorities right

Source: The post is based on the article “Speed and strategy – Indian Railways must get its priorities right” published in Business Standard on 17^th July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Infrastructure

Relevance: measures needed to improve train services.

News: The recent launch of new Vande Bharat trains has dominated headlines. However, along with these trains, overall services of the railways need improvement.

What are the benefits and concerns associated with Vande Bharat trains?

The Vande Bharat trains have co-benefits – a) stimulating local manufacturing and b) offering an upgraded travel experience. However, two key issues need attention.

Firstly, despite their technological capabilities, the Vande Bharat trains do not represent a significant leap in speed for regular users. Their financial sustainability is also uncertain, particularly considering lower occupancy rates.

Secondly, improving the broader experience across regular trains is of far greater importance than ensuring that there are some aspirational, showpiece express services.

Must Read: Vande Bharat trains: Potential and Challenges – Explained

What measures can be taken to improve overall train services?

Although it is challenging to improve the overall experience due to the scale of the Indian Railways and the number of people it moves, improvement is still possible.

Reform like the one made by the past railway minister; Madhu Dandavate is notable. He introduced “two inches of foam” to second-class berths. Thus, improving conditions for long-distance travellers.

Similar modernized improvements should be identified and implemented. Some of them could be:

First, routes that are prone to overcrowding need to be identified, and the demand for additional general unreserved seats should be met.

Second, investing in capacity should be accompanied by investments in safety and track improvements. For instance, to achieve high-speed train transport, trains like the Vande Bharat need upgraded infrastructure.

Third, routes capable of accommodating speeds of 160 km/h should be prioritized for the introduction of multiple new trains in order to ensure the desired results from the investments.