19th June 2024 (10 Topics)
1
Jun
3
Jun
4
Jun
5
Jun
6
Jun
7
Jun
8
Jun
10
Jun
11
Jun
12
Jun
13
Jun
14
Jun
15
Jun
17
Jun
18
Jun
19
Jun
20
Jun
21
Jun
22
Jun
24
Jun
25
Jun
26
Jun
27
Jun
28
Jun
29
Jun
Misplaced priorities of past two decades in Indian Railways
You must be logged in to get greater insights. click here to login
Context
The Indian Railways is under scrutiny after a freight train collided with a passenger train near Siliguri, West Bengal, on June 16, resulting in nine deaths and over 40 injuries. This incident is part of a troubling history of deadly train accidents in India, raising concerns about railway safety and efficiency.
Historical Context and Safety Issues
- Recurring Accidents: Since 1995, India has witnessed seven major train accidents, causing over 1,600 deaths.
- Safety Concerns: Frequent derailments and collisions highlight the persistent safety issues within Indian Railways.
- CAG Reports: Recent reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reveal high rates of asset failures, including signal failures and rail fractures, contributing to these accidents.
Declining Market Share and Performance
- Stagnant Traffic: Since 2010-12, Indian Railways has seen stagnation or decline in both freight and passenger traffic.
- Competitive Disadvantage: Road and air transport modes have grown 6-12% annually, while railways lag behind.
- Operational Speed: Despite claims of improvements, the average speed of trains has not increased significantly, undermining efforts like Mission Raftar.
Questionable Priorities and Future Outlook
- Misplaced Priorities: Investments in high-cost projects like bullet trains and dedicated freight corridors have not addressed core issues of safety and efficiency.
- Semi-High-Speed Trains: The introduction of Vande Bharat trains focuses more on luxury than on substantive speed improvements.
- Need for Review: A thorough review of priorities and strategies is essential to prevent the terminal decline of Indian Railways.
UPSC Mains Question
Discuss the current challenges facing Indian Railways, including safety issues, declining market share, and the impact of recent policy decisions. What steps should be taken to revitalize the railways and ensure it meets the needs of a densely populated, developing country like India?
More Articles
Courses
Study
Notes
Home
Resources
More
