Policy Update
Kiranmanonmani. Y
Introduction:
The Ministry of Railways is one of the important ministries of the government of India and one of the largest recruiters of employees, currently having 1.2 million employees across India. It oversees the railway transportation and the monopoly of train service in India. Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw presently heads the Ministry of Railways as the Minister of Railways, Mr. V. Somanna as the Minister of State for Railways, and Mr.Satish Kumar as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Railway Board. The headquarters is located at the Rail Bhavan, New Delhi.
History:
The Indian railways was managed by the Public Works Department with assistance from private British companies for expansion. As the system became more complex to manage, the Railway Board was established in March 1905. Initially part of the Department of Commerce and Industry, it later became a separate entity, highlighting the railways’ importance.
A major development occurred in 1924 with the introduction of a distinct Railway Budget. This budget separated the financial identity of the railways from the government budget and emphasized the importance of the railways as a separate entity. After India gained independence in 1947, the railways came under the Ministry of Transport. However, on April 17, 1957, it became a standalone Ministry of Railways, with Jagjivan Ram as its first minister. This change was crucial for the nationalization of the railway system.
Functions:
The Ministry of Railways holds the major responsibility for planning, development, and administration of the railway networks and passenger services across the country for a smooth and seamless journey, and ensuring connectivity to every nook and corner of the nation. It formulates policy and allocates finance from the budget for its operations and investments in various things.
The ministry plays a vital role in the management of large-scale transportation of the country. It also provides various additional services to the passengers to ensure a safe and memorable journey from one destination to another. There are luxury trains such as the Maharajas’ Express, Golden Chariot, Deccan Odyssey, and Palace on Wheels, which provide a luxurious travel experience to the passengers, all while immersing them in the culture of India.
Zonal divisions and Production Units:
The Ministry of Railways has zonal divisions categorized into the following, based on the geography of India:
1. Central
2. Eastern
3. East Central
4. East Coast
5. Northern
6. North Central
7. North Eastern
8. Northeast Frontier
9. North Western
10. Southern
11. South Central
12. South-Eastern
13. South East Central
14. South Western
15. Western
16. West Central
17. Metro
The Major Production Units Of Indian Railways Are Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, Chittaranjan; Banaras Locomotive Works, Varanasi; Integral Coach Factory, Chennai; Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala; Rail Wheel Factory, Yelahanka; Modern Coach Factory, Rae Bareli; Patiala Locomotive Works, Patiala, and Rail Wheel Plant, Bela.
STATISTICS OF THE YEAR 2023-2024:
As per the report of the year 2023-24 of Indian Railways, the number of passengers originating from suburban and non-suburban areas was recorded to be 3981 million and 2924 million, respectively. The earnings from suburban and non-suburban passengers were calculated to be 2861.55 crores and 67,831.78 crores, respectively. During 2023-24, 5.39 lakh checks were conducted against ticketless/ irregular travel (including carriage of unbooked luggage). About 361.05 lakh cases of ticketless/irregular travel/unbooked luggage were detected, and `2,231.74 crore were realized on this account. The total number of trains in the suburban category is 114, and the non-suburban category is 536. The Indian Railways saw an estimated internal revenue of Rs. 2,65,000 crores in the year 2023-24.
Digital Initiatives and Services:
The Indian Railways recorded a revenue of Rs 4270 crores in the fiscal year 2023-2024, which is almost a 20% increase compared to the previous year, of which the contribution of the catering sector is larger. Online ticket bookings contributed around 82.68% of the total ticket bookings, which shows the improvement in digital literacy of the citizens of India. The IRCTC mobile app handles around 37.75 million transactions every month. The “AskDisha” chatbot addressed over 3 crore inquiries and facilitated the booking of 9.5 lakh tickets. E-catering services experienced a revenue boost of 31.88%, supplying 22.71 lakh meals for special election trains.
Infrastructure development:
In the fiscal year 2023-24, the Indian Railways expanded its network by adding 4,107 kilometres of new train tracks costing ₹88,875 crores. Additionally, during this period, optical fiber cable(OFC) was installed for 1,411 kilometres which was a major achievement for the Indian Railways.
Additionally, the Ministry of Railways undertook the essential renewal of railway tracks of 6,450 kilometres to ensure the safety of passengers and the credibility of the railways. The implementation of the ‘Kavach’ project was done to provide a state-of-the-art facility to avoid train collisions.
Catering and other services:
The Indian Railways provides catering services to the passengers on request. Those who prefer food during their travel can add food while booking their tickets. Indian Railways offers a wide range of food services to enhance the travel experience for passengers. These services include Pantry Cars, which are available on 562 pairs of trains, providing a selection of meals and snacks onboard. Additionally, Train Side Vending operates on 702 pairs of trains, allowing passengers to purchase food items directly from vendors as the train travels.
For those who prefer to dine at stations, Static Catering Units are strategically located, featuring a total of 570 Major Static Units. These include diverse options such as Food Plazas, Fast Food Units, Jan Ahaar (providing affordable meals), Cell Kitchens, Base Kitchens, Refreshment Rooms, and Automatic Vending Machines.
Moreover, passengers can also utilize e-Catering services, which are available at 407 stations, offering a variety of cuisines that can be ordered online and delivered directly to the train. In addition to the major units, there are also 9,308 Minor Static Units, which encompass various stalls and trolleys, ensuring that travelers have access to a wide array of snacks and meals throughout their journey on Indian Railways. Along with food, the Railways provides water vending machines, bookstalls, chemists, and other necessities to passengers for a smooth journey.
Ticket booking:
Passengers who wish to travel by the railways can either book tickets online or offline, based on their convenience. Those who wish to book tickets online must first create an account on the IRCTC website using their name, contact number, and e-mail ID. They can log in using their username and password every time. After selecting the preferred train, date, and timings, they can complete the process by making an online payment for tickets. For offline ticket booking, one has to visit the railway station and fill out a reservation form, and complete the process by making payment for the tickets.
Conclusion:
The Indian Railways acts as an irreplaceable feature of the country and backbone for travel for millions of Indians who rely on it for their daily commute from one place to another. It enables passengers to take long and safe journeys seamlessly. It is also more affordable than any other mode of transportation, and people from all financial backgrounds can travel due to the varied facilities and ticket prices.
People travel from one place to another for many reasons, such as education, a job, and other important reasons. Even though there are many shortcomings in the railways, such as delay in train timings, lack of proper food and hygiene, etc, people still rely on and continue to use the Railways. It remains and will remain a part and parcel of millions of people in the country.
References:
About the Contributor:
Kiranmanonmani. Y is an Economics Hons student at Hansraj College, University of Delhi, and a research intern at Impact and Policy Research Institute(IMPRI).
Acknowledgment:
The author would like to express sincere gratitude to Ms.Aasthaba Jadeja and the IMPRI team for their guidance throughout the writing of this article.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not
necessarily to the organisation.
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