This has been a post in the making for a long time. I never found enough will to sit down and put them into words. Somehow, I find myself mulling on this topic now, and am jotting down as it comes.
The following is based on some of my journeys over the past 5 years. A lot of changes have caught my fancy over these years. I may not be informed enough to cover it all chronologically or in depth but, I shall touch upon some that I have found interesting. To name a few : The introduction of Duranto as an addition to the then already existing rajdhani and shatabdi, the AC SF trains introduced much later catering the ‘posh’er crowd with great benefit to railways, the creative addition of mud cups for tea in one of the budgets (which sadly never took off) the improved signalling systems, excellent improvement in passenger facilities at stations (within the realms of possibility)....
Recently, day trains were converted to cater to 'en route' traffic rather than point to point traffic (of the top of my head, brindhavan exp, janmabhoomi, chamundi, exam special from sc to hwh). The replacement of reserved coaches in super-fast trains with unreserved coaches in a brilliant initiative. There is also the emergence of online portals, real time information,etc. which, though not robust enough for praise, are still commendable.
A lot of changes have also piqued me. Trip planning, route scheduling & introducing new trains are almost a regular part of improving the railways. They add more assets. But, I have a bone to pick with the maintenance of the rolling stock and passenger amenities inside coaches. The new inclination towards privatization makes me a bit uncomfortable.The perception that govt. and govt aided organisations that handle transactions are slow is a given. The quality of the work may or may not meet standards. True. I believe even if there are instances of malpractice, there is an argument for controlling the impending privatization.
Maintenance in Indian Railway was famously privatised a few years back. The catering and the cleaning were out sourced. The main issue that promoted this was probably the sub-standard to pedestrian quality of maintenance in certain sectors. Having traveled in the MAS HWH stretch when I was a kid, I can assure you that the food was hardly edible on those journeys. The coaches were rarely clean and with the old sodium vapour lamps, there was a general mood of Sickness and waste. Not all of them, mind you. I would take a train to trichy or Coimbatore after reaching Chennai and these day trains would offer delicious treats throughout the journey.
Almost 15 years hence, when I have started travelling again, this time because my job demands it, I’m sometimes taken back to those times and it is not a pleasant experience.I am going to base all the objections I have solely on my experiences and it may not be a trend in other sectors that I have not traveled.
The MAS HWH stretch that I now regularly take is served by a set of people who hound for tips, they over-charge and under-serve. There is just one option, A biryani for dinner. You can take a pick from egg, veg or chicken and if you are a vegetarian you are doomed. This biriyani, served by ‘meals on wheels’ is an abomination. The breakfast options consist of bread or upma,every morning and on every journey, everyday. I was shocked to find that the "prestigious and famous" TN exp had nothing better to offer either. The quantities are little and the quality is even worse. Aren’t we entitled to healthy meal? I remember , when they were introduced on these routes, the prices went up on the promise of food of better quality. So why are we being cheated?
A few years ago, I would have jumped on to the privatization bandwagon at the blink of an eye. Now, after a job change, after enlightenment( baptism probably), I have come to realize that there are no more chances for malpractice with private contractors than there are with the govt. sector. why? Simple, Profits.
During the four years of hostel, we got to eat both in govt. run messes as well as private messes. It was a period of transition and by the final year, all messes were let out to private caterers through 'open' tenders. In the third year of college, The food seemed tasty for the first few months. Thinking back, I realize it was more due to the change of hands rather than actual improvement in the taste or cooking. By the end of that semester the food had riveted to the old quality in addition to this: in the name of reducing wastage, a few people who came late did not get to eat after the mess hours. When enquired about the quality, the contractor explained “It is true that we cater to SASTRA as well, we charge them almost two times what we charge your college. Your tender is awarded to the lowest bidder and sometimes, we have to account for kickbacks too, so at the cost at which we are serving you, we are barely making profits”. He might have had a few more drinks than normal. But he was succinct in all his replies that day.
Government agencies are slow, ineffective and lethargic. But they are not driven by profit; in reality they are hardly driven. In some cases though, I find lethargy and predictability more comfortable than the disappointment in the promise of better service. Recently, I chanced to travel by the MAS SBC double decker. The prices were lower than the HWH MAS mail, that had dropped off at MAS in the morning. I asked him why I had to pay 10 for the same tea on board HWH MAS mail, and he remarked “I don’t know sir, we charge rates only based on what is set by the railways”. Now, does the prices vary from zone to zone? dunno....
Ironically though, I liked the cheaper one better.
