IR had been gradually sinking deeper and deeper into a dangerous swamp of politics and bureaucracy. Today it has sunk almost neck deep and a result it could not reform. Today almost every activity and entity in IR very badly need reforms. Had IR adopted necessary changes or reforms from time to time, the question of privatisation would not have arisen today.
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It is often stated that chronic shortage of funds/ under-investments is root cause of problems faced by IR. In my view, the number one reason for downfall of IRly...
more... since 70 years of independence is continued and unabated misuse of available resources. Rly was a thriving at the time of independence with a lions share in transportation market (90% freight traffic & 75% passenger traffic ) and flush with funds. Continuous mismanagement of IR and misuse of funds/other resources since decades have IR in bad financial condition, under-capacity network & technological backward infrastructure.
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An in-depth study of each and every aspect of IR- infrastructure, operation etc against the international benchmarks by national/international experts from appropriate disciplines/organisations could easily reveal the real shortcomings in IR infrastructure & work practices. A time bound steps necessary to bring IR at par with international standards can be drawn with a financial support from Govt and active involvement/participation from concerned organisations/ private investors.