Go Railways!

Was just reading some articles published in the last week in various newspapers. Indian Railways, my favourite government department, is moving forward on the promises it made during the budget a few months ago.

A new time table will come into effect from July 1, with over 100 trains speeded up. Further improvements could happen over the next few years. A new call centre chain - India's largest - will be opened by December. Tenders have been floated for a proposed public-private partnership project to build budget hotels in relatively smaller towns. Of course, the 9% growth rate means that passenger and freight volumes are rising at record rates, infusing large revenues into the Railways' kitty.

Two entities I am really, really happy to see do well are Bombay and the Indian Railways. Bombay has been floundering lately, though the privatisation of the airport and inaguaration of the Versova-Ghatkopar Metro link have been noteworthy successes. The Railways have scripted an amazing turnaround in the last 2-3 years, riding on the back of a strong economy and efficiencies created by use of information technology. I hope Bombay can join the Railways soon. And of course, if the Metro project proceeds more effectively than most others in the recent past have done, the city can begin the long journey to reclaim her past glory on a more hopeful note.