Apropos the editorial “Railways moves forward” (January 10), modernisation of the Indian Railways will not be possible without doing away with political interference. However, do we need another authority in the form of a tariff board? In fact, the existing railway board can be strengthened with additional members and special responsibilities to fix fares and freight rates. Also, it’s time that the government considers the corporatisation of the Indian Railways on the lines of its telecom undertaking, Bharat Sanchar Nigam. Converting the Indian Railways into an Indian Railway Corporation, with subsidiaries for each railway zone in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, will pave the way for better administration, improved human resource management and easier mobilisation of funds for expansion.
Narendra M Apte Pune
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