The new Prime Minister of India has promised significant investment in the railway infrastructure, so
there is now a chance for real reform. The Railway needs to shift the focus to freight: in 1950, 90 per cent of India’s freight was carried by rail. Today it is only 33 per cent, with the rest of the freight cargo moving by road.
More freight will come if cargo is moved fast, with a regular schedule, instead of today’s practice of giving passenger trains priority on the rails and putting in a freight train when some track is free.
Use of modern technology and electronic switching and signaling could optimise rail movement all over India.