A large locomotive body which runs on a track, where a
powerful mechanical engine pulls the remaining bodies such systems is known as
Railways. The main purpose of railways is to carry passengers, goods and
essential commodities from one place to another.
India is a diverse country. It has many cultures,
traditions, languages and local dialects changes in every square kilometer.
Geographically India is vastly different from the other nations. It is composed
of high mountains, fertile Gangetic plains, central high lands coastal lands
and islands.
In India railway was first introduced between Mumbai to
Thane in 1853 by the British government. The main motive of introduction of
railway was to carry finished or end products to the docks & ports so, that
it can be exported across the targeted markets. In British era fast and
reliable railway network was needed not only for the carrying passengers and
goods but it was needed for transporting troops during the time of the
emergency. It helps a lot the British Empire to mobilize the troops in any part
of the country.
In pre-independence era railways plays a vital role in
unification of the country from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, Eastern Frontiers of
Assam Tripura to Western Ghats of Gujarat. It helps Indians to exchange
cultures and values. It provides an opportunity to understand problems and it
brings the felling of Nationalism in the hearts of every Indians.
Today, Indian Railway is controlled or owned by government
of India. It runs through Ministry of Railway. It is a true public enterprise.
It is the one of the world’s largest Railway network comprising of 115,000 k.m.
of track over a route of 65808 K.M. and 7112 stations. Indian Railway is
divided into 16 zones which are further sub-divided into divisions. Each zone
is headed by General Manager who reports directly to the Railway Board.
Though, Indian Railway is the world’s largest network and it
employs highest number of manpower. But the condition of the Indian Railway is
very pathetic in many aspects. Average Indians suffers a lot from getting
tickets to travelling in railway. It lacks basic facilities in many stations
and trains such as supply of pure & safe drinking water, clean toilets and
good foods at fair price. Many coaches lack proper lighting as well as security
systems, manual or automated. We can witness large number of people use to
travel without ticket. Sometimes, getting a seat reservation is a big deal in
Indian Railway. There is shortage of trains between major stations. Every year
Indian Railways registers a huge financial loss due to many reasons. However,
Government talks about the modernization of railway but it lacks basic service
to the nation.
New Railway projects are often announced and sanctioned
every year. In last decade 99 new projects were commissioned worth of 60,000
crore out of which only one project is complete till date and there are four
projects which is as old as 30 years. Projects are not completed because of
many counter problems and issues. Abnormal rise in price of tickets, freights,
goods, monthly passes has created an alarming situation where the common man
suffers a lot.
India is a land of opportunities and problems. Yes there are
issues which need to be checked out first. Many parts of the country still lack
railway connectivity. After the reward of the independence Indian Railway
failed to provide the accessibility of railway to common people of remote areas
comparison to the British Government. Today Government of India talks about the
modernization of the railway. Our neighboring countries are running Bullet
Train (High speed train). A train which travels a speed of 300 K.M. plus per hour. They are running bullet train
that’s why we also need a bullet train in our country. We presume that high
speed trains will helps us propel the growth of the economy as well as the
living standards of the common people of India. But scenario is opposite in
India number of projects are not yet completed which leads us to high cost
Centre. Recently Government has sanctioned the project of Bullet Train worth of
RS 90000 crore which runs between Mumbai to Ahmedabad. In such type of projects
high degree of skill is required where high cost will be involved. It fetched
10m times more capital in comparison to prevailing projects.
At last, I want to ask you is the Bullet Trains is really
important for the country like India?
Note: The post is based upon a research
& information are taken from Internet.
