Privatisation of Railways

While the issues you raise are valid but from The Experience of Airlines you will agree we have the Kingfishers who took loans, did not pay service providers and left out employees in a lurch. We also saw saw that many private players did not honour the commitment of flying to a small percentage of economically non viable airports. As long as the Regulators are Not Strong Enough Private players tend to be a burden. Over the decades Railways has been used to achieve political miles and destroyed profitability /efficiency 1. we need to free railways from the Politicians whims of a. Starting trains not because of need but to oblige political friends b. Opening Manufacturing facilities in own back yards (say amethi/raibareilley) while it fails the minimum requirement of availability of Raw Material (Steel, Coal, water) and cheaper workforce. Also they are far away from where they are to be supplied. 2. Reorganise Railways into Conglomerate of Efficient Business Units / Companies.. Make the Chiefs Responsible for Economic viability of each Each business unit Let there be a Parliamentary committee monitoring it and decide if it needs to subsidise something 3. Alternate ways of generating revenue, investment in safety measures, to reduce dependence on budgetary support. - Generate Funds by Small Adverts spaces inside outside coaches, on platforms; use this solely for Safety & Cleanliness - New Flexible Solar Panels are strong, light, aesthetic Cover Vast open spaces of Stations and the tracks on stations with modern Solar Panels to generate electricity SELL Surplus. - Use Railway Surplus LAND to make Budget Hotels cum Commercial centres and generate monthly rental revenue more  

I concur. We must privatize railways, but with a governmental tag. Since we are dependent on transporting government machinery thru Railways - some control needs to be exercised! more  

My father was an employee of Western Railway so I'd seen level of corruption spread in Railway. I'd like to suggest to implement ERP across all division of Railway so it can curb the corruption as well getting more funds for development. There are saying in people if corruption not exist in then Railway lines being of Silver. Have you ever give attention on the enormous funds passed by Central? Yes, I'm agree with you that BJP should have to introduce PPP in Railway but first remove the corruption and misuse of funds from Railway. Did you know that many divisional manager not live in quarters because of inadequate facilities of Railways coaches which dedicated fully to their families. Those people are true heir of Britishers. more  

privatization of railways IS NOT GOOD and its not possible also. if its maintence responsibility is given to private sector ,that will be good idea. more  

In my view Indian Railways should be modernized but privatization of railways seems both difficult and counter productive. It's an essential utility service for majority of rural and semi urban India. Keeping in mind the socialist nature of our economy, till alternate cost effective private transportation facilities are developed, the railways should be under the Indian government. It should be made competitive and the idea to introduce dynamic pricing for tickets seems like a step in the right direction. If they let Indian Railways operate in a professional manner and not at the whims and fancies of politicians, I am sure Railways will surprise us with profits. Finally, Indian Railways is India's largest land owner. It will be hard to find a buyer at the right valuation. ( If opting for complete privatization ). PS - Looking forward to the high speed rail network promised in the BJP Manifesto. more