2018, a year of 'many firsts' for Indian Railways

If the Indian Railways were to attempt a tagline for its achievements over this year, it would probably be "2018, a year of many firsts".

For the railways, this year saw the national transporter manufacturing India's fastest train, rolling out its first air-conditioned local train, commissioning its longest bridge and converting a diesel locomotive into electric.

But, perhaps its biggest achievement was the lowest accident figures in the last three decades, with 45 incidents reported between April and December 15 in 2018. It was 54 during the same period last year.

However, train delays, bad quality of food, overcharging by caterers remained the pet peeves of passengers through the year.

"Over the last four and a half years we have inculcated a new culture of implementing transformative reforms, setting ambitious targets and pushing the boundaries to give a green signal to growth," Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said.

He told PTI that "as a result, the past year has emerged as a year of many firsts for the Indian Railways."
Another feather in the railways' cap was the first air-conditioned local trains for the Mumbai suburban railways with automatic doors, thus cutting down on possibilities of