Articles by S Sriraman

The railway budget for 2 010-11 begins with an attempt to incorporate a long-term vision. However, a serious reading of the document does not refl ect this, since short-term gains are sought to be achieved with very little effort to reform the system in terms of tariff rebalancing, especially on the passenger front, and prioritisation of projects.

A discussion of the Railway Budget for 2009-10, Mamata Banerjee's first exercise in her second stint, which shows the absence of a long-term perspective.

A close look at the Railway Budget 2008-09 to understand the real success achieved and a highlighting of some matters of concern. The complementary nature of the relationship between the two main modes of transportation, rail and road, needs to be promoted in a much more significant way if efficiency and environmental concerns are to be met. The road map set out for the next five years seems to provide a clear framework for action and implementation.

The emphasis on better utilisation of existing capacity in the Indian railways has obviously come to stay, though the railway budget of 2006-07 also outlines investment possibilities that are to be tapped. What will be crucial is the ability of the railways to increase their share of freight traffic over a period of time, even as areas in the passenger segment require review and consolidation. The budget gives the impression that the organisation might soon emerge from the chaotic situation in which it has been for a long time.

Has there been any serious attempt to look at the recommendations of the Expert Group on Indian Railways that submitted its report three years ago? The railway budget, 2004-05 unfortunately continues to be an exercise focuses on short-term objectives with only a marginal long-term perspective.