Letters: Solve basic problems first

With reference to the column, "Making Indian Railways more competitive" (October 19), the writer, A K Bhattacharya's proposal to have a dynamic fare system for the Railways looks feasible and should bring in more passengers. But it is fraught with the risk of being misused by corrupt railway staff in connivance with some travel agents, as has been the case with the booking system of Tatkal tickets.

Is it possible that these agents manipulate the Railways' ticketing portal and get confirmed Tatkal tickets even as ordinary people keep waiting till the last minute, mostly without success?

The Railways has to seriously address this aspect. There should be no room for technical glitches and no scope for manipulation.

Apart from increasing much-needed building capacity, the Railways should pay attention to its operational aspects before embarking on ambitious projects such as bullet trains. It should be kept in mind that the Railways' track record on passenger safety and security has remained poor.

Also, the level of general cleanliness inside train coaches - except the Rajdhani Express and the Shatabadi Express - and at most railway platforms is quite unsatisfactory.

To achieve any target in today's highly competitive era, wishful thinking will not suffice. An old maxim goes: First deserve, then desire. Is Suresh Prabhu listening?

Kumar Gupt, Panchkula

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