Working in the Modi government is
definitely a different experience. There are no undue pressures or threats, no
expectations of anything other than work and no requests to favor companies or
individuals. On the other hand, there is tremendous premium on integrity and
pressure on deliverance and also high expectations towards meeting targets
relating to infrastructure development. Clearly the focus is on delivery, not
frills and this has indeed been a welcome change – like a whiff of fresh air.
Certainly this is not the way the system
has been conducting itself in the past in this country, yet it appears that the
change in the way of working is going to be permanent, for having tasted it
once, the nation and its constituents would not find comfort in the ways of the
past, regardless of the political shade of governance.
Indian Railways, the lifeline of the
nation, is also feeling fresh and rejuvenated. With tremendous emphasis on consolidation
of the existing network and growth in infrastructure, and single minded focus
on reforms, the lifeline of the nation is perhaps on the right trajectory.
Yet the fact remains that over the last
few decades, addition of many times more trains that infrastructure has
led to a scenario where massive congestion on the tracks critically affects
punctuality, maintenance and also safety, with the tragic accidents in recent
years bearing testimony to the same. Since the fifties while the track infrastructure
has grown a measly thirty percent, the traffic, both passenger and freight has
jumped over sixteen times and this widening chasm has led to a scenario where
there is a constant tussle between those who operate and those who build and
maintain.
And the almost static passenger tariff,
for a long time now is affecting railway revenues with its attendant
consequences and symptoms and impacting almost all aspects of working of this
great organization. A corporate, and railways is definitely one, has to be run
professionally with real concern for the bottom line if it is to succeed and
succeed it must for that is the only way it can truly serve the society for
which it was built in the first place.
Despite all good intentions and many
improvements, the massive railway system has not been able to fully live up to
the expectations of the masses – inadequacy of line capacity has led to
shortages of berths to travel on and freight trains to lift and transport what
needs to be lifted and transported. There is a perpetual contradiction, whether
the railways is a sarkar (government) or vyapar (business) and therefore the
business of fast track deliverance that entails quick decision making has
always been an exercise that has been regarded as a risky affair.
Yes it is true that the inherent
contradictions that this organization finds itself engulfed in, have emerged
over decades. Complexity of processes has shrouded almost every facet of the
organization, the structures have not kept pace with the changing environment
and needs, and culturally, we have deteriorated.
Sustained adhocism is the best way to pull
organizations down. An organization of over thirteen lakh employees, covering
the entire nation has to have its fundamentals steeped in good governance. Unfortunately
railways was always viewed as an organization that could be forever sustained
without commensurate inputs. Impromptu decisions to increase passenger trains
taken regularly over long periods of time coupled with measures like keeping
the fares static have caused sufficient damage. Despite massive checks over
expenditure, checks that have started affecting operations, staff welfare as
well as safety, we have no surpluses from revenues, despite only token
provisioning towards depreciation. And our efforts towards monetization
and generating non fare revenues are yet to bear full fruit.
We are also yet to fully overcome the
complexity of processes that its complex bureaucracy has taken to ridiculous
extremes with processes not designed for efficiency but often at times to guard
turf for the satisfaction of individuals. And the perpetuation of a feudal
culture till very recently, when we came down with an iron hand.
Where have we gone wrong? Perhaps the
answer lies in the way we are structured – a vyapar in the garb of sarkar, a
vyapar that needs to be conducted with all the precautions and rigmarole
associated with sarkar, a vyapar where the sanctity of processes override that
of deliverance and a vyapar that has no clearly defined chief executive, a
functionality considered mandatory for any corporate. With these fundamental
anomalies perfectly in place, while we can always aspire for and also achieve
some modicum of excellence, we may perhaps never be able to fully exploit the
potential of this great monolith.
Yet the railway system delivers almost
22000 trains a day carrying 23 million passengers and over one million tonnes
of freight across 8000 stations spread through the length and breadth of the
country, and that is why one often refers to it as the “Great Indian Railways”
for it touches the lives of the entire populace, day in and day out. Its men
(and women) keep the wheels moving even under severe constraints and often
extreme working conditions and that is what makes them stand tall over all
other classes of government servants.
Despite legacy issues, it is indeed
gratifying that the efforts of the recent past have started showing. Safety
scenario has improved, cleanliness levels have climbed a few notches, passenger
amenities have improved, new landmarks have been achieved in doubling,
electrification and other works, stations are being beautified, dedicated
freight corridors have started emerging, construction of high speed line
between Ahmedabad and Mumbai is on track and the first ever rail university of
the country has started functioning. And this is not all; major strides are in
the offing, in improving security levels through use of video cameras, in
giving entertainment through provision of wi-fi at stations and trains, in
improving safety through better signalling, development of stations through
private participation, using artificial intelligence for enhancing security,
digital measures etc. The intent of the present government in improving
railways so that it can live up to the expectations of an emerging nation is
fairly evident.
Railway Reforms is a key focus area of the
government. Abolition of frills, matching accountability with authority,
simplification of systems and processes, concern and sensitivity for the human
resource, stress on integrity and ethical conduct are indeed measures that the
national carrier is increasingly identifying itself with, and why not – these
are the crucial building blocks of any great organization. Sensitivity towards
our clients and employees alike, something that we were rapidly losing sight
of, is also fast getting restored.
Indian Railways is indeed one of the the
largest organizations on planet earth. Sustained efforts over a long period of
time with reforms being at its core, is the only way to make a lasting
difference.
God willing, we shall.
Jai Hind
Good to see India Railways focused on infrastructural growth and emphasized on safety issues but rising operating ratio is cause of deep concern any organization cannot survive if its running in loss further punctuality is hugely affected in recent years and Time table revision from 15th Aug also created dissatisfaction among travellers as journey time has increased even upto 25% for some trains as general elections ahead it may affect Government upto some extent. Serious steps should be taken specially in operating department although punctuality improved in last few days but increasing journey time specially in non saturated route is unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you lohani sir , railways are indeed at cusp of big transformation , thanks to your vision and Modi ji's full support.
ReplyDeleteAnd for the critics of lohani sir , I must say that punctuality issue is of a concern but please look at the broader and futures picture , in long term it's gonna be beneficial to the passengers only and I am sure in future our trains will run on time always , as of now tracks maintenance is very necessary and safety must be the first priority always .
And I must say that lohani sir is the first CRB , who is having clear vision regarding transformation of Indian railways , and in his tenure till now accidents are nil.
Kudos to you sir
Respected Sir, I have not been able to find your personal email id as I wish to bring to your notice something serious concerning Railways. if not an issue for you, may please kindly provide your email id here so that I can send you an email.
ReplyDelete