Time is running out for the Indian Railways to repair the people’s faith in the lifeline of the country. Its reputation has been severely dented by a number of tragic incidents in the recent past. Frequent accidents, derailments, and disruptions have created such distress among the people that many have shifted their long-standing loyalty from the railways, which was regarded as the safest mode of transport, to other modes of transport. Thus, the onus is on the Indian Railways to ensure safety and punctuality in its operations to arrest the present trend of taking flights or boarding buses to reach destinations. India’s railway network operates over 12,500 trains on an average day, transporting over 20 million passengers across the nation. The massive network weaves through varied landscapes, from bustling cities to serene countryside, offering a glimpse into India’s rich cultural fabric. It enables geographic connectivity, citizen mobility, and the flow of commercial goods, and thus plays a critical role in facilitating the country’s economic and social development.
It’s a pity that such an important ingredient of nation-building has been neglected for so long, with very little effort made to improve the standard of railway services in the country. While new trains have often been introduced, we have not seen the same amount of enthusiasm in the expansion of the network that we inherited from our colonial rulers. However, due to the efforts being made in the last few years, an average of 14 km of railway track is being built daily, taking India’s total length of railway tracks to 126,366 km. The large figure highlights the fact that the Indian railway tracks are overburdened with the movement of so many trains, especially on busy sections, which hampers punctuality and also increases the chances of accidents. So, to allay the apprehensions from the minds of the people, the railways have to address the root of the problem, instead of indulging in cosmetic measures.
While in today’s world high-speed trains have become a necessity, it should also be kept in mind that to upgrade the services of railways we need to improve the basic facilities too, like improving the standard of the tracks, modernising the signalling system, and having a skilled and efficient workforce. Aging infrastructure of train stations and overcrowding of trains and stations are a common sight in India, leading to passenger discomfort, safety concerns, and operational inefficiencies. Unfortunately, despite introducing ultra-modern Vande Bharat and NaMo trains, no attention has been paid to these basic requirements for a safe and smooth train journey.
This is why incidents like collisions between trains or derailments have become a regular affair, causing enormous loss of lives and serious damage to infrastructure, apart from hurting the reputation of the Indian Railways. To prevent such tragic incidents from tarnishing the image of the Indian Railways, investment in modern infrastructural facilities and cutting-edge technological advancements should be prioritised. At the same time, the railways should have adequate and efficient manpower to ensure the utmost safety and security of passengers. It must adopt Japan’s punctuality and precision, China’s extensive high-speed rail network, and emulate the sustainability efforts of European networks. It is an open secret that Indian Railways are in a precarious position, and thus the operational heads should promptly act on rectifying its shortcomings to re-strengthen its bond with the people it has served with distinction.