Problems like parking and discounting of fares have started increasing before private trains run!
Indian Railways is the fourth largest railway and eighth largest commercial unit in the world. Under which 13 thousand trains run. In which 13 lakh employees are employed. About 20 million passengers travel in these trains daily and 33 lakh tonnes of goods are transported. While railways is also the biggest medium of employment in the country. But in this era of privatization, from the country’s airlines to the forests are being privatized. Including railways. Railways says that it will give rail projects to private companies for 35 years. In such a situation, the government had received 120 applications for railway privatization from 12 groups of 15 companies. Under which there is a mega plan of 30 thousand crores. In which bids of 7200 crores have been received for Mumbai-2, Delhi-1 and Delhi-2.
In such a situation, the Railway Board Chairman says that by April 2023, 151 private trains will start. But the privatization of railways has raised many other questions in front of us regarding employment, passenger fare, facilities. For which the government has not yet issued any specific decree. One reason for which is the remaining time in running private trains.
But the harmful effect of privatization of railways is already visible. When we went to the Surat-e-Hal of Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station in the national capital Delhi. Then it came to know that the railway system has started crumbling even before the private trains can run. There are 13 counters in the ticket house here. In which 12 counter employees were found missing. Only a female employee was seen at a counter. When we asked the lady employee, where have the employees of these counters gone? Then she says I don’t know. Then we asked about privatization of railways? Then she says that I do not know that railways is being privatized.
Next we met a railway official on platform 7 of the station. who declined to be named. We asked him that how are you seeing the privatization of railways? Then he explains that privatization of railways is like putting weight on the pockets of poor and middle class. Because this class is most dependent on railways for business and movement. For example, he says that for taking the facilities of a private institution, he has to pay more than a government institution. The same will happen with the Railways going private. Apart from this, he said that even the free water on the platform in private railways will not be destined for the passengers.
After this we asked why the government is privatizing the railways? Then those officers tell that the corruption and flaws in the railway system are increasing. The government has failed to stop him. So it has taken the path of privatization. But this is more likely to increase corruption in the railways.
He further says that today the salary of railway employees is generally 25 to 40 thousand. Whereas there is also a huge possibility of salary cut due to railway going into private hands.
When we talked to railway passengers about privatization of railways. Then we got M.S. Meet Khan. Who is a doctor by profession and was going from Delhi to Bihar. We asked him that what will be the effect on the country if the government privatizes the railways? Then he replies saying that Railways is the backbone of the country. With whose earnings the entire country is accounted for and the government also runs. But now the government’s aim has become only to earn money. Due to which it is privatizing government institutions and capitalists are migrating abroad by withdrawing money from these institutions.
Further we asked him that what difference can there be in passenger fares due to running of private trains? Then he says that now our Indians are trapped in Ukraine in Russia and Ukraine war. Where the government rent is 20 thousand rupees. Whereas private institutions are charging rent up to Rs 1 lakh. In such a situation, the difference between government rent and private rent can be understood.
In response to this question, a senior passenger Ramshekhar says that earlier there was a discount of 40% for senior male passengers and 50% for female passengers. But now the government has abolished that. This is all because of privatization.
Further, we asked Ritika, who was present there, that the government is privatizing the railways, do you think there is such a big company that can handle the railways properly? She then says that it is challenging for any private company to handle the railways. Because in private companies there is nominal adherence to constitutional rules and regulations. But since the railway is private, its security and maintenance will be fine.
Then we talked to some porters present at the station. In which coolies were included from 12th to MA pass. When asked how is your work going? Then he says that ever since automatic stairs, lifts and wheeled bags have come. Since then, our work has gradually become limited. But even today we are completely dependent on railways.
When further we asked that if railways being private hinders your employment, then what will you do? Then Girraj who is the leader of 50 porters. He says that if our work is ruined by the privatization of railways, then the government should be ready to face an agitation.
Before running private trains, the government will have to give a written guarantee that due to the railway being private, our employment will remain intact.
Further (MA pass porter) Radhe explains that 50 percent of the porters carrying the goods on the platform are educated. Those who are also expecting job in railway. But nothing can be said about privatization.
Next we met private drivers outside the railway station. We asked him that what problems do you see due to the Railways being private? Then the Ola driver Rajind, who was present there, told that problems have arisen for us even before the private trains can run. Now the vehicle entry fee at the station is Rs 30. Whereas for parking more than 15 minutes, you have to pay up to Rs 200. In such a situation, half of the earning is going to the parking lot. He told that so much fee has to be paid from 2 months ago.
Further, the auto driver Dharmesh explains that the problem of traffic near the railway station is also increasing rapidly. It has become common to get 2 hours of traffic here. In such a situation, the driver is surrounded by this problem. Neither the administration nor the government is able to solve it.
It is to be noted that the railways has 4.81 lakh hectares of land today. There are 12,729 locomotives, 29,3077 freight and 7,6608 passenger coaches. Apart from this, the railway also runs hospitals, schools, museums. Under which one degree college, 87 Kendriya Vidyalayas and 99 schools were built on railway land. From which it is clear that railway is such a ladder related to life. With the help of which the business of the people got settled. But due to the privatization of railways, common life will be greatly affected. Which has started in the form of increase in railway parking charges, removal of handicapped bogies, abolition of senior passenger fare exemption. In such a situation, how beneficial or harmful this effort by the government to privatize the railways will be proved, it will tell the time to come.
