Railways
The Indian Railways consist of an extensive network spread over 62,660
kms, comprising :
- Broad gauge :39,612 kms
- Meter gauge 19,210 kms and
- Narrow gauge 3,838 kms.
Electrified networks with 11,793 kms, account for 18.8% of the total
Route Kilometrage. The thrust areas identified in the Eighth Plan period
include :
- Replacement and renewal of overaged assets
- Augmentation of terminal and rolling stock capacities
- Gauge conversion and
- Electrification.
The railways employ 1.6 million workers - the largest number for any
undertaking in the country. A comprehensive plan for human resource development
is required to upgrade skills, retrain workers and achieve higher productivity.
Railways have taken steps in this direction. UNDP is assisting Indian Railways
for organizational development and system changes in order to improve efficiency,
productivity and quality.
New Marketing Strategy
The railways have devised a new marketing strategy following economic
reforms, to attract freight traffic, which is now largely going by road
transport currently. The main features of this strategy are :
- The Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), a public sector undertaking,
will provide door to door services for domestic users, transportation in
bulk for small customers and international transport in ISO containers.
- Introduction of trains connecting Tughlakabad with Bombay, Jawaharlal
Nehru and Madras ports, for the movement of export containers on scheduled
time.
- Leasing out brake van space to customers, so that they can have assured
transportation between fixed points.
- Introduction of `Own Your Wagon Scheme' to invite private sector investment
for ownership of railway wagons and thereby supplement the Railway's resources.
- Introduction of long distance parcel services between Bombay and Delhi,
Delhi-Mughalsarai and Wadi-Bunder-Shalimar.
- Simplification of rules in key areas like free acceptance of indents,
supply of wagons, single window booking systems and faxing of invoices
to destinations.
- Rebate on freight for utilization of wagons in the empty flow direction
- Closure of yards to facilitate faster movement.
