Indian Railways : Ready for India 2020?

Though it’s a little late but I was reading the last Indian Railway (IR) budget presented in February 2010. While the budget did rattle off some operations metrics and few thoughts on generating employment by way of putting some ancillary industries catering to Indian Railways, what was sorely missing was a strategic direction of what will happen 5 years, 10 years, and 20 years hence.

The IR of 2020 will be considerably different from IR of today, however, sadly, our politicians have failed to outline the vision, if not anything else as to how the railways will operate in future. I see in US that when they plan for new tracks and introduce new connectivity they look at 20-30 years in future and in many instances even more than that. That’s how the master plan should look like. The high speed rail corridor between San Francisco and Los Angeles is being worked out keeping the traffic situation in 2035.

Indians are no less capable but lacks the discipline and dedication to commit to a vision. Between urgent and important work, urgent always takes precedence and then we lose sight of long term planning. Railways connect India like no one else does. But, beyond a point the Railways need to move from being a mere basic services provider to being a high tech, passenger focused, industry oriented unit. The India of 2020 is going to be substantially different from the India of today. Are the Railways prepared for that time? Did the Railway Budget of 2010 in any way articulate the vision and lay out the plan for making Indian Railways an organization that will smoothly fit in with the Indian landscape in 2020?

A golden opportunity to play a strategic infrastructure facilitator role via the budget has been lost as its silent on Dedicated Freight corridors as well as Modernization of the exiting Infrastructure. There is no mention on accountability on service standards in this budget as the same would have substantially improved revenues in return

Here are a few things that I consider the IR need to pay attention in case it can hope to become the preferred mode of seeing India, otherwise roads and air traffic will surely dominate a system that is one of a kind in the world in its reach and breadth

1. Dedicated Golden Quadrilateral Freight Corridor that is absolutely separate from the passenger lines
2. High Speed and same day return connection amongst Tier I, Tier II and Tier III cities
3. Satellite stations in the far flung areas connecting to the main stations like a hub and spoke model. Minimum one train station for every 50 Kms across the length and breadth of India
4. Best of the class infrastructure like collapsible coaches for passenger comfort
5. Impeccable safety consciousness
6. Improved passenger amenities like the ones available in developed countries including access for disabled
7. Zero security breach tolerance;trains & stations needs to become the safest place in India
8. Green Train to dramatically (as close to zero) reduce carbon footprint
9. All trains and stations to have internet connectivity
10. Help develop the last mile connectivity

Pls. feel free to add to my list to help Indian Railways cater to India 2020 and beyond.