BY SRINIVASAN UMASHANKAR 

 

 

“THE train is a small world moving through a larger world” – Elisha Cooper, is an inspiring quote. The train keeps moving, which is a sign of a progression. Travel teaches tolerance and an effective educator too, as we move around visiting people and to places that are both new and old. Train, in a way, trains our mind and builds mental fitness. Indian Railways have a massive network spread across every nook and corner of the country. It is amazing that they have maintained the highest level of operational efficiency except in cases due to unforeseen circumstances, which are of course very rare to be seen. With the advent of superior technology, the Indian Railways have over a period embraced and also successfully leveraged them to ensure the highest level of safety and security to the travelling public, which is critical in terms of building confidence. The modernisation of Railways like the electrification, laying of new line, doubling, loco production etc., and the time-to-time upgradation of the systems and procedures to provide a superior travel experience to the commuters are again matters admirable. The recent transition reportedly from the conventional ICF rakes to LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coaches is another such major initiative in the direction. Well, it was very recently that I was on my way back to Nagpur from Visakhapatnam after finishing some work.

 

At the boarding point, however, there was a little confusion and I was given to understand that the train by which I was supposed to travel will run on a diverted route presumably due to some operational constraints. This confusion obviously had led to anxiety building up as booking tickets on a short notice by any other train and mode was understandably difficult, more so in view of the huge new year rush. A clarification soon came then from the authorities that passengers who are bound for Nagpur and also onwards to Hazrat Nizamuddin, however, have no issue and hence can commence the journey right on. That was a huge relief. Instead of on its scheduled routes Via Vijayawada, Ballarshah... to Nagpur; the train was diverted via Durg, Gondia... to Nagpur and reportedly proceeded to the destination point then according to its usual prescribed routes. A diverted train need not necessarily keep its original schedule. Surprisingly, the departure time at Visakhapatnam and the arrival time at Nagpur remained more or less the same as was before and the train had indeed arrived at Nagpur almost around the same time that speaks of the absolute class of Indian Railways.

 

It wasn’t known if there were cancellations in the final hours before the departure of the train owing to this sudden development as there were very few passengers on board the train up to Nagpur. What initially appeared to be a near difficult and long journey to undertake following these unexpected developments finally turned out to be the best ever to happen and gave everyone on board the train a VIP-like feeling. Every new travel by a serpentine train, every new experience is always a relishing one. The Railways have worked wonders on many occasions in the past too. Indian Railways can boast of one of the largest and busiest rail networks in the world. As a commercial entity with a social heart, the system remains the mass transport. It also offers some of the most spectacular and unforgettable rail journeys such as through a tunnel, along the river, piercing through the dense thick forest taking U turns etc., and making us enjoy the beauty of mother nature. COVID-19 was a black swan event that had thrown human lives out of gear and brought the economy to a grinding halt. Indian Railways like any other organisation was no exception and had to take a big hit as a result. But the manner in which the Indian Railways staged a smart turnaround to bring the wheels of trains rolling back on track with an unimaginable makeover is again appreciative of them. It is not easy to make a new beginning from scratch again and rise to the top by efficiently managing the operations of this giant size! Indian Railways is the “Life Line to the nation”. Salute to the Indian Railways!!!