Page 48 - Railways
Fast trains at slow speed: Why railway privatisation should not be hasty
The experience with 50 stations and 150 trains should be a learning experience, helping frame sensible rules that are not unfair to new operators and also don't attract criticism, writes T N Ninan
Railway Board commissions survey to establish Mujnai-Nyoenpaling line
Minister of Railways, and Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal is in Bhutan, heading a business delegation in connection with the Bhutan - India Start-Up Summit 2020
 "Railway Board commissions survey to establish Mujnai-Nyoenpaling line")
Railways roots out illegal software, more Tatkal tickets for passengers now
The railways does not allow agents to book Tatkal tickets and over the past two months, the RPF has nabbed around 60 illegal agents who were booking tickets through these softwares
Budget 2020 bets on barren land, railway tracks to raise solar capacity
India has set a target to raise renewable energy capacity to 175 gigawatts by 2022.
 "Budget 2020 bets on barren land, railway tracks to raise solar capacity")
Govt bets on solar panels along rail tracks, barren land to raise capacity
India has set a target to raise renewable energy capacity to 175 gigawatts by 2022
 "Govt bets on solar panels along rail tracks, barren land to raise capacity")
Railways get Rs 70,000 crore from Budget; capex spend pegged at Rs 1.61 trn
In 2019-2020, the capital expenditure (RE) was Rs 1.56 trillion, which was 17.2 per cent more than the capex of 2018-2019
 "Railways get Rs 70,000 crore from Budget; capex spend pegged at Rs 1.61 trn")
IRCTC's third private train to run on Indore-Varanasi route as Hamsafar Exp
The overnight train would have the same rakes as those of the Humsafar Express, he added
Railways asks premium customers for advance payments to boost balance sheet
Around 50 freight customers had a business of Rs 500 crore or above with the railways in the previous calendar year, and hence, they are eligible for the scheme.
 "Railways asks premium customers for advance payments to boost balance sheet")
Railway coach making arms to see 30% surge in FY20 to around 8,000 units
All manufacturing utilities of the railways put together have produced around 6,000 units in FY19
 "Railway coach making arms to see 30% surge in FY20 to around 8,000 units")
Railways' existential dilemma: Fare hike, rejig proposal spark fresh debate
A fare hike and restructuring proposal have raised afresh the debate over whether this state-owned transport utility is a service or a business
Railways claims it lost Rs 84 cr due to anti-CAA protests in West Bengal
The matter will be taken up for hearing again four weeks hence, the court directed.
 "Railways claims it lost Rs 84 cr due to anti-CAA protests in West Bengal")
JSPL to focus on Housing and Railways; aims to become debt-free by 2023
Firm is looking at a 50% demand growth coming from housing segment, eyes 25% uptick from Railways
 "JSPL to focus on Housing and Railways; aims to become debt-free by 2023")
Indian Railway integrates its helpline numbers into single number - 139
New helpline number 139 will take over all existing helpline numbers (except 182) and it will be easy for passengers to remember this number to connect with railways for all their needs during travel
 "Indian Railway integrates its helpline numbers into single number - 139")
Train rides get costlier from today: Here's by how much
Railways have increased passenger fares by 1 to 4 paisa across various classes. But is that enough for the cash-strapped national transporter ? Listen to this podcast to know more
 "Train rides get costlier from today: Here's by how much")
Railway recruits to be inducted through UPSC in 5 categories says Chairman
Chairman, Railway Board, who will also be the CEO of the national transporter, will be an officer of Indian Railway Service and not from any other service
 "Railway recruits to be inducted through UPSC in 5 categories says Chairman")
Railways are on the track to become a more horizontal organisation
The merger of cadres, while it affects only about 12,000 Group A officers, who lead this "army", creates a far larger noise.
If anybody destroys railway property shoot them at sight: Suresh Angadi
The minister further asserted that it is taxpayers' money and to develop one train it takes years together
 "If anybody destroys railway property shoot them at sight: Suresh Angadi")
People are key to Railways and legislators reflect their sentiments: Goyal
According to an official statement, work on all projects has progressed at a very fast pace, including improvement in facilities for passengers at railway stations and in the trains.
 "People are key to Railways and legislators reflect their sentiments: Goyal")
In a rare move, Railways retires 32 officers before time for inefficiency
The only time in recent history when the railways undertook such a move was in 2016-17 when four officers were prematurely retired.
 "In a rare move, Railways retires 32 officers before time for inefficiency")
How to transform Indian Railways
Indian Railways should immediately corporatise its production units and construction wing, segregate its passenger and freight businesses, and restructure the Railway Board