Privatisation of Indian Railways
Even as the talks on the privatisation of the Indian Railways intensify with the recent budget saying a complete no to any of that kind solution however Mamta Banerjee adding a minor clause regarding it in the railways budget: This topic has gained an important imposing topic.
Figuring out to silence speculations on the privatisation of Indian Railways Mamta Banerjee simple added that no such proposition is going to be applied this fiscal year however the railway ministry would look into other possible business models for railway development to sustain the growth that the railway ministry has meted out and simultaneously prepare itself for a future growth.
However from my point of view I would like to add some things that I think should be thought over before taking some or the other substantial decision.
Standard of Indian Railways.
Indian railways within the past two UPA elected government has been in a lot of glamour and show off with new and different plans being implemented by the two railway ministers. Another staggering addition has been the growth in the Indian Railway system and the sudden surging profit that this public sector company has achieved. However is the railway still worth the money spent on it?
Well one thing to be noted that Indian Railway for the people of the country is kind of a lifeline. Even if we consider the staggering population of India we can easily see that railways is something that connect one end of the country to the other and is the most cheapest viable and useful medium that people trust and adhere to. Railway is one way or the other attached to most of Indian homes. Therefore there is no two thoughts on how much importance is the railway development to the people of India. Railway is the lifeline of the country.
Every class culture and financial slab of the Indian household enjoys this service. The competitive options like that of airways and roadways are comparatively less favourable in Indian household. Railways end up being the biggest winner.
However if we compare the standard that the Indian Railways provide us I would not particularly want to comment on that. Being in the public domain expectation about the services are not so high henceforth I would grade it as ok.
However compared to the standard of services that railways in foreign countries provide the situation is thought provoking. The diffused quality of railway lines , the time lag, efficiency, cleanliness are some of the points on which the Indian railways could be downgraded and called inefficient however they are able to meet the demand by effective supply somehow more or less which is good
Demand vs Supply
Some say demand equal to supply is the basic equation of any give and take institution and why should Railways be different. Even though the railway industry is not run for effective profit however it always tries to meet the demand that an Indian traveller could create. In short more or less the supply is there. However in the recent times the above equation negates itself when
· There is more demand that means there is an incentive to the Railways to provide more trains
· There is more supply that means there is an opportunity for the people to use more of the railways.
The above two conditions however appear in an economy which in a very fast growing economy wherein a little discord or loss over some time could be easily meted by the sudden rise in profit if that particular policy works. Indian in general however is not so sound enough that the losses could be carried over by the institution.
Siddu was commenting that China is building 4000 km last year of tracks and we built a meagre 200 km and disregarded the budget. What I say is Indian Economy sustainable enough to handle even 500 km of more tracks when the demand side is quiet stable and stagnant. Even with the development of agricultural setups the requirement from that part is still stagnant.
Thus what I conclude for the time being Indian railway is somehow doing justice for the demand. No farmers kill themselves because they did not get the train support. No person killed for lack of transportation. But however I am not implying we would not need privatisation. We would need that and ultimately one of the two points that were forcibly generated demand or supply some time in future as country grows at a very fast pace.
When to privatise?
Efficiency and facilities of the service is always associated with being a private enterprise. However the important thing to keep in mind is that private players seldom take offence and not do anything to make money.
To meet the growth of the railways at some point of time a ruthless private sector would be needed to drive sustainable and revenue generating system but not now. The government with its pace right now is able to cope up with whatever is to be done.
So the question remains when to privatise. My chance would be when the system tells itself that no further it could be handled completely by the government. The system itself is the best indicator of it.
Privatisation would envisage following situational points:
· High Fare
· High efficiency
· High regularity
Thus it would endanger: low cost markets, petty small people etc
Thus privatisation is internally filled with lots and lots of problem as can be imagined herein with.
Solution
No clear cut business model is present to balance the Indian growth properly. Privatisation would satisfy but will also kill. The complexity of the entire financial system complicates lots and lots of matters therefore it is better that a controlled privatisation in a step by step manner is evolved.
More to come..........
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