The Core Argument
India’s railway modernisation under the 2014-26 period has delivered tangible safety improvements — track renewal at scale, advanced flaw detection, Kavach deployment, and electrification — reducing accidents dramatically. The editorial celebrates these gains while identifying three unresolved structural challenges: unsustainable operating ratio (~98%), declining freight modal share, and the slow pace of Kavach rollout relative to the 64,000-km network. It argues that technology adoption (AI maintenance, green-hydrogen trains) must be complemented by financial restructuring to ensure the transformation is durable.
Indian Railways — Scale and Significance
Network Overview
| Indicator | Figure |
|---|---|
| Route km | ~68,000 km (4th largest in world) |
| Track km | ~1.35 lakh km |
| Daily passengers | ~2.4 crore |
| Daily trains | ~13,000+ |
| Freight handled (FY26) | ~1,700 MT (million tonnes) |
| Employees | ~12.5 lakh (one of world’s largest employers) |
| Revenue (FY26 estimate) | ~₹2.65 lakh crore |
India’s railways are central to national integration, freight movement, and affordable mass transit.
The Modernisation Record (2014-26)
Track Infrastructure
| Initiative | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Track renewal | 55,000+ km renewed since 2014 |
| Long Welded Rail (LWR) | Eliminates rail joints — reduces vibration, fracture risk, maintenance cost |
| Rail Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) | Automated detection of internal rail cracks before failure |
| Mechanised track maintenance | Multi-purpose machines replacing manual patrolling |
| High-speed corridors | Delhi-Mumbai (NHSRCL bullet train under construction); Vande Bharat tracks upgraded |
Electrification
| Indicator | Detail |
|---|---|
| Electrification coverage | ~95% of broad gauge routes electrified (2024-25) |
| Electric traction share | ~80% of freight; near-total for passenger |
| Annual fuel saving | ~₹14,000 crore (vs. diesel) |
| CO₂ reduction | Substantial; India Railways targeting net-zero by 2030 |
Safety Improvement
| Indicator | 2013-14 | 2024-25 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train accidents | 118/year | ~40/year | -66% |
| Passenger fatalities | High | Significantly reduced | Sharp decline |
| Derailments | ~60/year | ~20/year | -67% |
The Balasore train accident (June 2023) — 296 killed in Odisha’s triple-train collision — was a major setback, but post-Balasore safety reforms (Kavach acceleration, signalling upgrade) have shown improvement.
Kavach — India’s Automatic Train Protection System
Kavach (Hindi: “armour”) is the Indian Railways’ Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Function | Automatic brake application to prevent Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) and collision |
| Technology | Radio frequency (RF) + RFID + GPS integration |
| Maximum speed | Works up to 160 km/h |
| Kavach 4.0 | Latest version with enhanced features |
| Deployed (as of 2026) | ~3,000 km (vs. target of 64,000 km network) |
| Cost | ~₹50 lakh/km |
Problem: At current deployment pace, full Kavach coverage of Indian Railways would take 20+ more years. The editorial identifies this as the critical gap — collisions like Balasore are preventable with Kavach.
The Financial Challenge — Operating Ratio
What Is Operating Ratio?
Operating Ratio = Operating Expenses / Revenue × 100
A ratio of 98% means ₹98 is spent for every ₹100 earned — leaving only ₹2 for capital investment.
| Year | Operating Ratio |
|---|---|
| FY2013-14 | ~93% |
| FY2019-20 | ~98.4% |
| FY2025-26 (estimated) | ~98.43% |
What makes OR high:
- Massive staff costs (~60-65% of revenue)
- Below-cost passenger fares (cross-subsidised by freight)
- Capex burden (station redevelopment, rolling stock, electrification)
Freight Modal Share Decline
| Year | Indian Railways Freight Modal Share |
|---|---|
| 1990s | ~65% |
| 2010 | ~36% |
| 2024-25 | ~26% |
Freight is cross-subsidising passengers, but road (trucks) has eaten into freight market share due to speed, flexibility, and last-mile connectivity.
The Technology Frontier
AI in Railway Maintenance
- Predictive maintenance: AI systems analyse vibration, thermal, and acoustic data to predict wheel, axle, and rail failures before they occur
- CMRS (Centralised Monitoring and Reporting System): Real-time train tracking and performance monitoring
- Drones: Bridge inspection, track inspection in inaccessible areas
Green Hydrogen Trains
- India Railways announced pilot for hydrogen-powered trains on Jind-Sonipat section (Haryana) — using hydrogen fuel cells to power traction
- Potential to decarbonise non-electrified heritage sections
Vande Bharat Express
Vande Bharat (Made-in-India semi-high-speed trains):
- Self-propelled (no separate locomotive) — Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) design
- Maximum speed: 160 km/h
- Features: Automatic doors, bio-vacuum toilets, CCTV, GPS information system
- Network: 100+ trains by 2026 across major routes
UPSC Angle
| Paper | Angle |
|---|---|
| GS3 — Economy | Railway finances, operating ratio, freight modal share |
| GS3 — Infrastructure | Kavach, electrification, Vande Bharat, track modernisation |
| GS3 — S&T | AI in railways, green hydrogen, Kavach ATP system |
| GS2 — Governance | Indian Railways reform, PPP in stations, RLDA |
Mains Keywords: Kavach, operating ratio, Balasore accident, Vande Bharat, freight modal share, railway electrification, Long Welded Rail, USFD, ATP system, green hydrogen trains, NHSRCL
Probable Question: “Despite significant modernisation, Indian Railways faces structural financial challenges that threaten long-term viability. Critically examine.” (GS3 Mains)
