INDIAN RAILWAYS
Author- Harsh T Shinde
Turnaround of The Indian Railways
Desh et al (2010) The remarkable transformation of Indian Railways (IR) from a struggling organization to a highly efficient and profitable enterprise has drawn significant attention. This article places Indian Railways within the broader context of India’s public sector and examines the key factors that contributed to its turnaround. It explores how strategic reforms, leadership changes, operational efficiencies, and financial restructuring played a crucial role in improving performance. Additionally, the article highlights the challenges faced during this transformation, such as bureaucratic hurdles, resource constraints, and resistance to change. It also discusses the long-term implications of this success, not just for Indian Railways but for the broader public sector, demonstrating how well-planned reforms and effective governance can revitalize state-run enterprises.
Decarbonization of Indian Railways
Ramakrishnan (2018) presented that with the growing demand driven by population growth, GDP expansion, and Indian Railways’ own plans for network expansion, the energy consumption of Indian Railways is expected to rise significantly. Recognizing this, Indian Railways has already acknowledged the importance of increasing the share of low-carbon renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, in its overall energy mix. This presents a timely opportunity for Indian Railways to reduce its CO2 emissions by transitioning to electricity generated from solar, wind, or biofuels.
This is the result of a study that explored the feasibility of fully decarbonizing Indian Railways under various scenarios to achieve this objective. As part of the study, CO2 emissions attributed to Indian Railways were calculated for the period between 2015–16 and 2030–31, providing a clear picture of the environmental impact and the potential for reduction through renewable energy adoption. By embracing clean energy solutions, Indian Railways can not only meet its growing energy needs but also contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.
The Growth Contribution of Colonial Indian Railways in Comparative Perspective
Dan et al (2015) presented that the economic impact of railways in India and compares it to their effect in some of the fastest-growing Latin American economies between 1860 and 1912. While railways were a major driver of economic change worldwide, their contribution to income growth was smaller in India.
The researchers identify four key reasons for this: (1) railway freight revenues made up a smaller share of India’s economy, (2) demand for freight services was more responsive to price changes, (3) wages were lower, and (4) fares were higher. These factors limited the broader economic benefits of railway expansion in India.
A key takeaway Is that large technological advancements, like railways or communication networks, can significantly reduce costs and improve efficiency but may not always lead to strong economic growth. Their impact depends on factors such as pricing, wages, and overall market conditions
Reliability Analysis of track circuit of signalling system
Subhash (2007) presented this report which focuses on the reliability modeling of track circuits, a crucial component of railway signaling systems. Track circuits are repairable systems that detect whether a section of railway track is occupied by a train. Their performance is influenced by several factors, including frequency of use, repair and maintenance practices, and environmental conditions.
To assess how these factors affect operational efficiency, the study applies a parametric reliability model designed for repairable systems. This model estimates the failure rate probability of track circuits, helping predict their reliability over time. The researchers use two graphical methods—the Nelson-Aalen estimator and Total Time on Test (TTT) plots—to analyze failure trends. These methods help identify whether the failure rate is increasing, decreasing, or remaining constant. The study is based on real-world data from track circuits in the Kharagpur Division of Indian Railways, a major railway zone in India.
Container Train Operator In India : Problem And Prospescts
Gangwar et al (2010) presented that the railway sector is primarily controlled by the government, which is responsible for infrastructure development, train operations, and regulatory oversight. Traditionally, Indian Railways (IR) has been the sole operator in most railway segments. However, a major shift occurred in January 2006 when the Ministry of Railways introduced competition in container train operations by allowing both private and public sector companies to obtain licenses to run container trains on the IR network. This was a groundbreaking policy change, marking the first time private companies were permitted to participate directly in railway operations with customer-facing services. The move aimed to enhance efficiency, improve freight services, and boost investment in railway logistics.
Toilets and Trains
Raghuram (2008) presented that the Indian Railways (IR) is one of the world’s largest transportation networks, operating 8,700 trains daily, connecting 7,000 stations, and serving approximately 16 million passengers each day.
This system creates serious hygiene and environmental issues, particularly at railway stations, where human waste accumulation leads to unhygienic conditions and foul odors. Additionally, the direct discharge of waste onto tracks causes corrosion and damage to railway infrastructure, increasing maintenance costs.
The lack of proper sanitation facilities near railway areas forces many underprivileged people to defecate in the open, worsening health risks and contributing to poor living conditions. This highlights the urgent need for improved sanitation solutions, such as bio-toilets, vacuum-based systems, and better waste management policies within Indian Railways
Safety Challenges In Indian Railways: Analyzing Accidents and Traffic Management
Ghosh et al (2012) presented that the Indian Railways ,the world’s largest railway network faces safety challenges due to frequent derailments and collisions, with 11 major accidents reported in 2010 alone. Key issues include overcrowded routes operating beyond safe capacity, inefficient train scheduling causing bottlenecks, aging infrastructure in need of upgrades, and high-risk zones where train frequency and speed exceed safe limits. To enhance safety, improvements such as upgrading tracks and signaling systems, implementing advanced technologies like automatic train control and collision prevention, and optimizing train scheduling and traffic management are essential. Strengthening these measures will make Indian Railways more reliable, efficient, and secure.
Revenue Management in railway – A study of Rajdhani Express
Bharill et al (2008) presented the passenger services in the premium segment of Indian Railways (IR) and explores the application of revenue management principles to optimize earnings. It examines the elasticity of demand between different rail travel options, analyzing how passengers choose between available services based on factors like pricing, travel time, and convenience. By understanding these patterns, the study suggests implementing **differential pricing**—adjusting fares dynamically based on demand, seasonality, and occupancy levels. This approach can help **maximize revenue**, improve seat utilization, and enhance overall efficiency in ticket sales while maintaining affordability for different passenger segments.
Optimal Allocation of Rolling stock in scheduled transportation services
Sundaravalli (2019) presented that the passenger railway transportation services follow cyclic schedules to cater to both urban commuters and long-distance travelers, ensuring systematic and predictable operations. These schedules help manage traffic flow, optimize train availability, and balance demand across different routes. To analyze and improve these services, real-world data from Indian Railways is utilized for testing. The study examines the operational challenges within this system, develops a structured model to address them, and proposes a heuristic approach—an efficient problem-solving method that relies on practical approximations rather than exact solutions. The research presents findings on scheduling efficiency, potential improvements, and solutions to enhance service reliability, reduce congestion, and optimize train frequencies. By applying these methods, Indian Railways can improve operational efficiency, enhance passenger convenience, and better allocate resources to meet growing transportation demands.
Simulation models to evaluate Railway Operating Policies
Manikutty et al (1992) presented that the two applications of simulation models designed to evaluate railway operating policies that can enhance efficiency and optimize resource utilization in a zonal division of Indian Railways. These models were developed as part of a project aimed at addressing key operational challenges, such as congestion, delays, and inefficient train movement on busy railway sections.
One critical issue identified in the study is the difficulty of managing train crossings and scheduling on heavily trafficked routes, particularly in single-line sections where opposing train movements lead to delays. To mitigate this problem, the study proposes converting the section into a twin single-line operation—a system where each track is dedicated to a specific direction of travel. This approach enhances scheduling flexibility, reduces waiting times for crossings, and improves overall train punctuality. By implementing such solutions, Indian Railways can achieve better traffic flow, increased operational efficiency, and improved service reliability for both passengers and freight transport.
Reference
Desh Gupta & Milind Sathye, 2010. “Turnaround of the Indian Railways: a public ownership saga,” International Journal of Public Policy, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 5(1), pages 86-102.
T. S. Ramakrishnan, 2018. “Decarbonization of Indian Railways,” India Studies in Business and Economics, in: Rajat Kathuria & Saon Ray & Kuntala Bandyopadhyay (ed.), Low Carbon Pathways for Growth in India, chapter 0, pages 81-130, Springer.
Dan Bogart & Latika Chaudhary & Alfonso Herranz-Loncan, 2015. “The Growth Contribution of Colonial Indian Railways in Comparative Perspective,” CEH Discussion Papers 033, Centre for Economic History, Research School of Economics, Australian National University.
Subhash Chandra Panja & Pradip Kumar Ray, 2007. “Reliability analysis of track circuit of Indian railway signalling system,” International Journal of Reliability and Safety, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
Gangwar, Rachna & Raghuram, G., 2010. “Container Train Operators in India: Problems and Prospects,” IIMA Working Papers WP2010-09-01, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Research and Publication Department.
Raghuram, G., 2008. “Toilets and Trains,” IIMA Working Papers WP2008-12-07, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Research and Publication Department.
Ghosh, Saptarshi & Banerjee, Avishek & Ganguly, Niloy, 2012. “Some insights on the recent spate of accidents in Indian Railways,” Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 391(9), pages 2917-2929.
Bharill, Rohit & Rangaraj, Narayan, 2008. “Revenue management in railway operations: A study of the Rajdhani Express, Indian Railways,” Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 42(9), pages 1195-1207, November.
Sundaravalli Narayanaswami, 2019. “Optimal allocation of rolling stock in scheduled transportation services,” International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 34(3), pages 327-351.
Manikutty, S. & Raghuram, G. & Venkata Rao, V., 1992. “Simulation Models to Evaluate Railway Operating Policies,” IIMA Working Papers WP1992-04-01_01096, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Research and Publication Department.