Railways still running in bullock cart age, particularly during winter season Mr.Prabhu. the honorary Railway Minister.
In the interest of one and all...
My Dear Countrymen...!
Crying to become a world power, it is necessary for the present dispensation to think and adopt some innovative ways, of which, you are well versed, the world knows. Unless we make our foundation strong, dreaming of becoming a super power is a mirage.
Recently, I have had the opportunity to travel by trains for a week, beginning on the 30th Dec '2016, Anand Vihar Rly. Station to Allahabad to Gorakhpur and back to NewDelhi on the 5th of January '17 ( All three trains run Abt 10 to 14 hrs late ).
I wish to share the ordeals related to above-mentioned journey with some suggestions.
At the very outset, I would like you to recollect the period, our honourable PM. was looking for the most suitable person as Railway Minister being very important ministry serving the social cause for the prosperity of its people and the nation and you were finally picked up by him and since your caliber and PR were worth known to all and already established, people of India not only hailed your selection but looking forward with great hope for radical changes fast everywhere in reality particularly in basic facilities.
Frankly speaking! Mr. Prabhu! What we used to see and experienced during childhood, roughly the same situations prevail still today.
I, belong to Gorakhpur (UP) and have/had Railway background. I used to travel from Gorakhpur to NewDelhi in summer vacation every year when North Eastern Railway has narrow gauge up to Lucknow and from Lucknow to NewDelhi, broad gauge.
When we recollect those days about 46 yrs back, truly speaking Mr. Prabhu, we really used to enjoy the journey much to the satisfaction of all.
And you will be wonderstruck to know there was a quota from Gorakhpur ( N. E. Rly.'s Quota ) of only eight berths in Lucknow Mail to Delhi and we too often availed that quota.
Just compare the pleasant situation then and horrible situation now. A lot of thinking/ research need of the hour, how best to reach the same satisfaction today. Is it a TASK, really impossible for a person like you and that too in the reign of PM. Modi Ji who is best known as a man of iron will.
Is it not a matter of surprise that despite allocating large budget and introducing various trains every year and many improvements taking place on the continuous long-term basis we are unable to reach the satisfactory situation till date.
No doubt, challenges are many. Those who never boarded the train, have started planned journey the day train touches their areas. And this will keep on rising with un - ending fast expansion network of Railways.
Maybe you have some limitations to achieve the desired objectives but we see no reason in fulfilling at least all basic needs if you really willed.
It is up to you to decide whether you are interested in fulfilling people 's aspirations by giving them comfortable and safe journey Or only making cosmetic changes here and there to show off and to serve some super rich of the country.
Once you are clear on these, it will be very easy to accomplish all tasks one by one most satisfactorily, we wish to assure you.
In order that you could ably serve and satisfy one and all well, I would like to suggest as under:
1) Chalta hai attitude will not do anymore. As authorities and responsibilities go hand in hand, make the employees accountable and suspend/ terminate those found guilty. Nothing is more important than one's life. No one will tolerate frequent accidents today. Talking big and boasting will not pay but counterproductive in the long run.
2) whatever may be the situation, see that all waiting list passengers are somehow accommodated with at least RAC. If need be, provide extra coaches wherever necessary, may be Chair Car. Reaching destination on the desired date is more important for the needy passengers than a journey with luxury.
3) Install maximum number of manned vending machines for current tickets to avoid a heavy rush at the counters. Already in place, don't know how and why discontinued/ dismantled.
4) The journey is really a nightmare in winter season particularly in foggy season, ( trains running abt 10 to 40 hrs late). Do whatever is necessary in this regard to run the train on time. Adopt space/satellite/ latest communication technologies irrespective of the cost involved for timely run and also to ward off frequent accidents. It's mandatory keeping the value of TIME and related unrecoverable losses.
5) In case, a train is over late, Railways must provide food and other basic necessities free of cost to part shoulder some responsibilities.
6) See the Anil Kakodkar report afresh and implement suggestions related to the safety of passengers at war level irrespective of expenditures involved.
7) Try to run the Railway more as social service than run on the commercial line.
In a case of cancellation of the train, Railway must take the responsibility to provide it's passengers the alternate arrangements by road Or air in mutual interests. Passengers must not be thrown to their fate to suffer and manage on their own.Refunding the fair is not at all a fair deal.
8)Despite undertaking various measures from time to time, overall maintenance is still not up to the mark at the stations and Railway tracks and deplorable conditions of employees deployed in cleaning jobs.The toilet is poorly shaped in almost all the trains with hardly maintained and hence much more to be done yet to reach a satisfactory level.
9) Though handing over to IRCTC for Catering services, still lagging behind and beyond the reach of all passengers physically and economically both and therefore much efforts needed here too for further improvements.
10) Postpone the Bullet train project at least for now and instead try to run the trains at 200 km/ hour all over the country with assured safety and comfort by taking their Cheap and feasible technologies from China, France, Spain.......etc.
People of our country will be very happy in case you ably accomplish the above in larger good of the people and the nation.
JAI HIND.
Writer (Sinha.P.K a member, AAP) is an amateur and views are strictly personal. Feedback / Criticism welcome at Email -pkmsinha@gmail.com or follow @ pkmsinha.blogspot.in]
My Dear Countrymen...!
Crying to become a world power, it is necessary for the present dispensation to think and adopt some innovative ways, of which, you are well versed, the world knows. Unless we make our foundation strong, dreaming of becoming a super power is a mirage.
Recently, I have had the opportunity to travel by trains for a week, beginning on the 30th Dec '2016, Anand Vihar Rly. Station to Allahabad to Gorakhpur and back to NewDelhi on the 5th of January '17 ( All three trains run Abt 10 to 14 hrs late ).
I wish to share the ordeals related to above-mentioned journey with some suggestions.
At the very outset, I would like you to recollect the period, our honourable PM. was looking for the most suitable person as Railway Minister being very important ministry serving the social cause for the prosperity of its people and the nation and you were finally picked up by him and since your caliber and PR were worth known to all and already established, people of India not only hailed your selection but looking forward with great hope for radical changes fast everywhere in reality particularly in basic facilities.
Frankly speaking! Mr. Prabhu! What we used to see and experienced during childhood, roughly the same situations prevail still today.
I, belong to Gorakhpur (UP) and have/had Railway background. I used to travel from Gorakhpur to NewDelhi in summer vacation every year when North Eastern Railway has narrow gauge up to Lucknow and from Lucknow to NewDelhi, broad gauge.
When we recollect those days about 46 yrs back, truly speaking Mr. Prabhu, we really used to enjoy the journey much to the satisfaction of all.
And you will be wonderstruck to know there was a quota from Gorakhpur ( N. E. Rly.'s Quota ) of only eight berths in Lucknow Mail to Delhi and we too often availed that quota.
Just compare the pleasant situation then and horrible situation now. A lot of thinking/ research need of the hour, how best to reach the same satisfaction today. Is it a TASK, really impossible for a person like you and that too in the reign of PM. Modi Ji who is best known as a man of iron will.
Is it not a matter of surprise that despite allocating large budget and introducing various trains every year and many improvements taking place on the continuous long-term basis we are unable to reach the satisfactory situation till date.
No doubt, challenges are many. Those who never boarded the train, have started planned journey the day train touches their areas. And this will keep on rising with un - ending fast expansion network of Railways.
Maybe you have some limitations to achieve the desired objectives but we see no reason in fulfilling at least all basic needs if you really willed.
It is up to you to decide whether you are interested in fulfilling people 's aspirations by giving them comfortable and safe journey Or only making cosmetic changes here and there to show off and to serve some super rich of the country.
Once you are clear on these, it will be very easy to accomplish all tasks one by one most satisfactorily, we wish to assure you.
In order that you could ably serve and satisfy one and all well, I would like to suggest as under:
1) Chalta hai attitude will not do anymore. As authorities and responsibilities go hand in hand, make the employees accountable and suspend/ terminate those found guilty. Nothing is more important than one's life. No one will tolerate frequent accidents today. Talking big and boasting will not pay but counterproductive in the long run.
2) whatever may be the situation, see that all waiting list passengers are somehow accommodated with at least RAC. If need be, provide extra coaches wherever necessary, may be Chair Car. Reaching destination on the desired date is more important for the needy passengers than a journey with luxury.
3) Install maximum number of manned vending machines for current tickets to avoid a heavy rush at the counters. Already in place, don't know how and why discontinued/ dismantled.
4) The journey is really a nightmare in winter season particularly in foggy season, ( trains running abt 10 to 40 hrs late). Do whatever is necessary in this regard to run the train on time. Adopt space/satellite/ latest communication technologies irrespective of the cost involved for timely run and also to ward off frequent accidents. It's mandatory keeping the value of TIME and related unrecoverable losses.
5) In case, a train is over late, Railways must provide food and other basic necessities free of cost to part shoulder some responsibilities.
6) See the Anil Kakodkar report afresh and implement suggestions related to the safety of passengers at war level irrespective of expenditures involved.
7) Try to run the Railway more as social service than run on the commercial line.
In a case of cancellation of the train, Railway must take the responsibility to provide it's passengers the alternate arrangements by road Or air in mutual interests. Passengers must not be thrown to their fate to suffer and manage on their own.Refunding the fair is not at all a fair deal.
8)Despite undertaking various measures from time to time, overall maintenance is still not up to the mark at the stations and Railway tracks and deplorable conditions of employees deployed in cleaning jobs.The toilet is poorly shaped in almost all the trains with hardly maintained and hence much more to be done yet to reach a satisfactory level.
9) Though handing over to IRCTC for Catering services, still lagging behind and beyond the reach of all passengers physically and economically both and therefore much efforts needed here too for further improvements.
10) Postpone the Bullet train project at least for now and instead try to run the trains at 200 km/ hour all over the country with assured safety and comfort by taking their Cheap and feasible technologies from China, France, Spain.......etc.
People of our country will be very happy in case you ably accomplish the above in larger good of the people and the nation.
JAI HIND.
Writer (Sinha.P.K a member, AAP) is an amateur and views are strictly personal. Feedback / Criticism welcome at Email -pkmsinha@gmail.com or follow @ pkmsinha.blogspot.in]
Comments
Post a Comment