New Delhi: The future of Indian Railways is looking bright. Former railway officials recently gathered at a TV9 Network conclave to discuss the vital role of rail transport in India’s growth plan for 2047.
Mohammad Jamshed, a former member of the Railway Board, called the last ten years a “golden period” for Indian Railways. He noted that the merger of the railway budget with the Union Budget significantly boosted funding, bringing in about Rs 3 lakh crore. Meanwhile, freight traffic jumped from 8,000 million tonnes to 12,000 million tonnes. This surge signals how railways are evolving.
In terms of speed, the much-anticipated bullet train project is set to have a section operational by August 2027, with full operation planned by 2029. Jamshed pointed out that while passenger services contribute only about a third of revenue, they are essential, especially during peak travel seasons. He mentioned that around 55,000 new coaches were added in the last year, but more are needed to meet growing demand.
Rajni Hasija, former Chairperson of IRCTC, highlighted that online ticket bookings skyrocketed from 800,000 daily in 2019 to 1.45 million in the last financial year. Nowadays, about 89% of tickets are booked online. The IRCTC Connect app alone accounts for 58% of these bookings. To tackle fraud, over 2.5 million suspicious user IDs have been deactivated.
But challenges remain. Hasija noted a significant demand-supply gap, especially for Tatkal bookings, although adjustments like limiting agents’ access during the first 15 minutes have helped. She also mentioned improvements in catering, with reduced complaints about food quality.
Pankaj Saxena, a former Director at DFCCIL, emphasized the impact of dedicated freight corridors. These have improved coal supply to Punjab and Haryana and sped up container movement, reducing logistics costs. As freight and passenger services were separated, the railways could operate up to 14,000 special trains during the recent Maha Kumbh festival.
Ravi Valluri, a former railway officer, pointed out issues like congestion and the need for on-time arrivals. He noted that targeted efforts have boosted punctuality in the Prayagraj division from around 30% to nearly 90%. There are plans to enhance catering services through private companies and e-catering initiatives.
This conclave, part of TV9 Network’s “Buniyaad Bharatvarsh Ki,” spotlighted infrastructure development and the crucial role of transportation in India’s roadmap to 2047. These discussions show a promising future for Indian Railways, marked by reforms and advancements that can drive the nation forward.
Want to dive deeper? You might find this report on railway infrastructure useful: [Indian Railways Report 2023](https://www.example.com).
Author: Prabhakar Jha, Chief Copy Editor at News9 Digital, with over eight years of experience and a passion for politics and world affairs.
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Buniyaad Bharatvarsh Ki, Bharatvarsh summit, TV9 Network's conclave, Viksit Bharat 2047
