An Indecisive Indian

https://anindecisiveindian.blogspot.com/2024/12/indian-railways-in-2024-part-1-track-of.html ☝️ Part I of this blog, which incidentally did not receive a great responses, ended with the following : Is this pattern of financial performance and high levels of investment sustainable? No government in India would be willing to raise passenger fares, as such a move would be politically disastrous. Can expenses be reduced? To some extent, but this would require a paradigm shift in IR’s operational and maintenance model—a shift that has yet to show any serious resolve. Additionally, nearly 70% of IR's expenses stem from salaries and pensions, making cost-cutting particularly challenging. So, what is the way forward to ensure IR's long-term sustainability? Should IR take inspiration from the bard’s timeless advice, as Polonius cautioned Laertes in Hamlet: "…Neither a borrower nor a lender be; for loan oft loses both itself and friend…" ? Certainly not entirely—after all, ho...

As 2024 draws to a close, taking stock of Indian Railways' (IR) performance feels a bit like examining the last New Year’s resolution list in December—you find a few tick marks but mostly unfulfilled promises and some creative self-promotion. Sure, there have been some infrastructure gains, but the year has also witnessed a dismal Operating Ratio, uninspiring financial results, missed deadlines on marquee projects, over-the-top fanfare for a handful of flashy schemes, discontent from General class passengers, and a bungled attempt to unify the fragmented management through a new service structure. Critiquing IR’s 2024 journey is no small feat, especially when much of the public seems convinced that the organization is on an unstoppable trajectory of greatness. This belief owes more to IR’s skilful media orchestration—loudly announcing what is on the horizon rather than celebrating actual achievements—than to any objective reality. Nonetheless, I have taken up the challenge of deliv...

Lo and behold, the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024! A piece of legislative pageantry introduced in the Lok Sabha with all the pomp of a king’s decree. For those hoping it heralded a transformative era for Indian Railways (IR), prepare to have your bubbles burst. It turns out that this bill is less of a revolution and more of a legal housekeeping exercise—a meticulous rearranging of bureaucratic furniture while continuing to have the house itself in shambles. My esteemed great-uncle Shakespeare and my ever-witty chachā (uncle) Ghālib, stationed in their celestial VIP lounge, observed the antics surrounding the Railway Amendment Bill 2024 with a mix of bemusement and weariness. This time, they did not bother to engage in one of their characteristic verbal duels. Instead, they sat in contemplative silence, sipping their ethereal elixir (or perhaps ambrosia—who knows?) and merely took mental notes. As for me, I did not need to eavesdrop this time—my unique telepathic hotline to their gran...