I congratulate the passengers for getting eighth consecutive year of Rail Budget sans "socalled" increase of fares.

Successive Railway ministers perhaps had been using Railways as a tool for promoting their political careers.

Indian Railways is an organization that touches almost every human being in the country and has become a part of every citizens life. Railways all over the world are supported by the state and there is need today to see that the organization survives.

Causes of Concern :

1. Increase in tacit subsidy to Coaching (Passenger) operations has risen to about 20K crore almost 15-20% of its budget. This s one of the reasons for poor quality of services.

   
   




2. The staff cost has risen to about Rs.30K crore.

   
   

3.Proposal to man all the Gates could further escalate this cost by about 5%

1. Surplus has come down from Rs.4.5 KCr in 2008-09 to 3K Cr in in 2010-11 therby effecting investments on safety ( Bridges, Track, Signalling etc) and may effect passenger interests in long run.

   
   




2. Virtually little on no investments in Advanced Signalling is a matter of concern particularly in view of lack of populism on such investments ( Pl dont forget that all the recent FOG accidents involving were totally avoidable.

   
   




3. Very low morale of Signalling Staff and officers due to unequal opportunities and Departmental discrimination. ( Iam a senior Retd Official//family member)

   
   




4. Increasing unproductive investments on nonperforming RPF instead of private security induction.

   
   




5. Investments in non profitable lines for various considerations causing large Onetime as well as recurring investments.

   
   




6. Large market borrowings and Capital (Govt) investments attract huge interests and effect profitability and sustenance.10. Avoidale Investments on non-proven Anti Colloision Device (ACD) instead of proven Signalling Technlogies..11. Ever Increasing No of Loco Drivers and assistants instead of ONE using better better and more consistent Technologies.

   
   

Solutions :

1. Partial induction of Pvt services in areas of Coach Mtce, Loco Maintenance, Track and Bldg Mtce, Security services and Ticket issue and checking can reduce staff strength by about 30% and increase operational efficiency as well.

   
   




2. Reforms in Gazetted cadre giving due representation to all and removal of Departmentalization can save Railways from long term Doom.

   
   




3. Induction of Experts Commitee for suggesting Reforms and a Neutral Secratary Technocrat or IAS) in the Railway Board like all other Deptts of GOI.

   
   

Accident Avoidance : https://youtube.com/watch?v=dazAUC2NyiU&feature=player_embedded#

Long live Rail Services.. Jai Hind